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Portola girls soccer breaks through against Beckman for first league title

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IRVINE — Portola’s girls soccer team stood at the gateway of two major historical feats as it took the pitch Friday night.

The Bulldogs promptly blasted their way into the record books, and the CIF Division 3 playoffs.

Freshman Lily Nesland and senior Sloane De Torres each scored three goals as fourth-year Portola defeated visiting Beckman 7-0 to capture its first Pacific Coast League title in stunning fashion.

Last week, Beckman (7-3-2 in the Pacific Coast) rallied to beat Portola (8-2-2) but the Bulldogs dominated the second round to become the first girls team in school short history to claim a league crown. Coach Jeralyn Newton’s team, ranked 10th in Division 3, also is headed to the playoffs for the first time.

The Bulldogs’ bench raced onto the field after the final whistle and celebrated amid streaming purple smoke.

“I am honestly a little shocked that we were able to put that many goals away,” said Nesland, who also set up a goal by Mirabella Allen and had another shot hit off the crossbar. “The emotion from the last game really drove us to win this game. We really wanted it and I think we just wanted to win it for the seniors.”

Portola led by two goals against No. 8 Beckman last week before losing 4-3. The Bulldogs also lost senior forward Christine Chang to a broken arm in the match.

But for all the goals Portola scored Friday — three in the first half — its first spark came from junior goalie Mia Linville in the second minute. She tipped a shot by senior Grace Darcy over the crossbar.

One minute later, Nesland flashed her speed from the left wing spot with a counterattack, scoring on a right-footed, cross-cage shot.

“I think it was a boost of confidence, maybe,” Linville said of her early save. “It kind of set us for the rest (of the match).”

Nesland set up the second goal by sending a long pass from the flank toward the top of the penalty box. Allen, a junior midfielder, rocketed the loose ball into the net in the 24th minute.

Nesland scored on a breakaway in the 35th minute and added another goal in the 66th minute.

De Torres, who moved to forward for Chang, scored three times in the second half, including one on a penalty drawn by junior Emma Song on a strong run into the box. De Torres matched Nesland’s speed and aggressive attacking but also symbolized Portola’s growth.

She spent her first two seasons on junior varsity but was among the top players Friday. “She has gotten so much better,” said Newton, Portola’s founding coach.

And so has Portola. With contributions from freshman midfielder Jenna Verplancke and defenders Malaika Fawzi, Celine Aoki, Sarah Ibrahim and Michaela Allen, Portola achieved several firsts on Friday.

“This is huge,” said Newton, assisted by Kelli Moline. “The first year we had 10 girls try out, so we’ve come a long way. … We’ve been working. We’ve been building. It’s incredible.”

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