Girls Soccer: Mendota downs Aurora Central Catholic in regional final

Updated: May 12, 2012 9:26PM

Despite a courageous effort, injuries and a limited roster finally caught up with Aurora Central Catholic in the Chargers’ bid Saturday to pull an upset for a Class 1A regional championship.

Boasting three double-digit scorers, top seed and host Mendota scored 26 seconds into the contest and added two more goals before halftime to produce a 3-1 victory over ACC. Just two days after ACL surgery, senior tri-captain Emily Blaser was on the sideline trying to exhort her teammates to pick up a fifth victory within the Chargers’ last six contests.

That was one of two ACL injuries to key starters that kept a 6-12-1 Central Catholic squad from having the kind of season first-year coach Esther Tan was hoping for. The regional title contest marked the third game ACC was missing keeper Shelby Danielson, replaced by Gabbie Gutierrez, a Charger regular forced into net by an MCL injury that kept her from punting the ball.

“I’m so extremely proud of the girls for their dedication, determination and effort. We really won the second half,” Tan noted. “They worked their hearts out and everyone stepped up.”

Freshman Jordyn Sundberg’s goal with 5:02 left in regulation – an 11-yard blast from left of center off a scramble – kept Mendota from chalking up its 12th shutout victory of the year. The Trojans, now 17-5, picked up their seventh victory in their last eight outings.

“I just kicked it toward net trying to get it on the side netting like coach always says to do,” Sundberg said of her team-best 10th goal which boosted her season point tally to 22.

Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to offset Mendota’s strong first half that began 26 seconds into the match with Ally Bromenschenkel registering her 14th goal of the year thanks to an assist from Alma Hernandez, a 12-goal scorer.

Sister Abby Bromenschenkel notched her 18th goal of the year with 12:15 left in the opening half thanks to a set-up by Tracy Calderon. Brianna Correa’s goal off a Layne Becker through ball completed the scoring 3:54 prior to halftime.

It was the first-ever regional girls soccer title for Mendota, which previously had a regional boys soccer title in 2003.

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