Coronado's Middle School soccer teams, both girls and boys, won the South Coast Middle School League Championship Wednesday, February 8, 2012.  The league has fourteen teams and is divided into a South region with seven teams and a North region with seven teams. Coronado competes in the South region of the league.  Boys and Girls both won their regions and qualified for the semi-finals against the number two team from the North region.

GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER A TEAM:  LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

South Coast Middle School League CHAMPS

Qualifying for the semi-finals with a winning record, the girls' “A” team traveled to La Jolla Country Day school Tuesday, February 7, a chilly and rainy day. They toughed out the weather and in the pouring rain defeated Santa Fe Christian 2-1.  The win propelled them into the league final against Pacific Ridge from Carlsbad.  Again travelling to La Jolla Country day for the game, the Coronado girls, with two goals from forward Jordan Glenn, earned the 2-0 victory and title of League Champions! 

Pre-game "Pump it up" cheer

Coach Joao Brantuas said that this is an “excellent group of girls with good chemistry who are very respectful of each other.” They started every game with a “Pump it up” cheer and it’s been said that most of the team truly enjoyed “goalie wars” at practice. With hard work and excellent attitudes toward their coach and each other, these young ladies truly made it an enjoyable and successful season. 

Jordan Glenn puts one in the goal

Ellie Nixon saves a goal.  She only allowed one all season.

BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER A TEAM:  LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

  Boys' League Champions celebrate by displaying their utensils, a spin off of the school's mascot, the Triton

The boys team qualified for the semi-finals with an undefeated record and in the pouring rain and brisk weather were able to beat Christian of El Cajon 2-1 to earn a spot in the league final.  After watching the girls’ team secure the League Championship, the boys took the field.  The key first goal was scored on a shot by sixth grader Ian Hurlburt.  A goal by Alex Carrera extended the lead to 2-0.  The other team scored to make it 2-1, but the tension was eased with a last minute goal by Anthony Chonga; Coronado boys win the League Championship 3-1!

The boys middle school soccer team celebrates after Ian Hurlburt's opening goal

Coach Steve Daluz describes these boys as an “absolutely fantastic team. Every boy showed great character and contributed.” 

This is the first championship for middle school boys’ soccer and it comes from a team with only five eighth graders out of seventeen players.  Coach Daluz was pleased that the boys accomplished the three goals he set for them at the beginning of the season:  Play with purpose, have fun, and win every game we play.

Islander Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that offers the opportunity for middle school students from Coronado Middle School, Christ Church and Sacred Heart to participate in after school sports.  For more information about ISF, visit their website islandersportsfoundation.com.

Thank you to Michael Hurlburt and Joe Woods for the photographs.

Kellee Hearther

Online Editorial Intern

eCoronado.com

If there's something you'd love to read about, please contact me at calikellee@gmail.com.