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A “pro” level strike. A precise boot that gave the goalie “no chance.” A banger.
Those were the descriptions of a spectacular goal by Joey Birkbeck that helped push Orange Lutheran’s girls soccer team to a 1-0 victory at Huntington Beach in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs Friday.
Birkbeck, a junior who plays left fullback, sent a free kick from 30 yards speeding into the far, upper corner in the 35th minute to highlight an emotional match and advance the Lancers (10-4-1) to the quarterfinals against visiting Hart on Tuesday.
“It was one of the best strikes I’ve seen,” first-year Orange Lutheran coach Luis Segovia said. “It was upper V (in the goal), right in the corner. There’s no chance for the goalkeeper (to make the save). … She’s precise.”
Birkbeck scored on a free kick drawn by Evelyn Alvarado, who drew the foul in her first varsity game back from a knee injury.
“I was just trying to bang it in there,” said Birkbeck, who scored on a penalty kick against Murrieta Valley in the first round of the playoffs. “I used to play forward when I was little.”
Huntington Beach coach Raul Ruiz called the goal by the Boise State commit “amazing” but believes the shot was aided somewhat by the wind.
“Honestly, I’d give it a pro shot (rating),” Ruiz said. “Our keeper (Stella Adler) made a great effort but it was impossible (to save). … Kudos to them.”
Orange Lutheran’s defense withstood a surge by Huntington Beach (14-6-4) in the second half.
The Oilers shifted into a more aggressive formation and created more scoring chances. But the Lancers’ back line of sophomore Macey Tuiolosega, senior Alexa Green, sophomore Josie Anderson and Birkbeck held firm in front of freshman goalie Capriana Cuneo.
No. 2 seeded Orange Lutheran impressed despite playing without defender Ari Markey and forward Makena Cook.
Markey, a senior committed Pepperdine, is training with the Philippines national team.
Cook, a sophomore forward, suffered a broken leg in practice Saturday. She visited the team in a wheelchair before the game.
“She’s a big part of our team. She keeps us up so losing her was kind of hard for us,” Birkbeck said of Cook, The Register’s player of the year in flag football. “Now, we’re playing for her.”
Huntington Beach dedicated its season to Kelly Reid. The junior, who also starred in flag football, died with her father in a plane crash in Fullerton on Jan. 2.
The Oilers united after the tragedy to honor Reid, placed third in the Sunset League regular season and defeat Arcadia 1-0 in the first round. In the playoff win, Alicia Katter scored off an assist by Sienna McAthy.
“I know Kelly would be proud of us,” Ruiz said.
The Oilers played the Lancers despite being without three key players due to injuries.
“We all really came together,” Huntington Beach sophomore captain Alexis Katter said of the season. “We just all bonded and lifted each other up, even through the tough times.”
“It was really tough losing Kelly,” Katter added. “We all just prayed every day for her, and played all these games for her. … We really are a close family.”
Also in Division 1:
Canyon 1, Newport Harbor 0: Ava Probst scored in the 15th minute to lift the visiting Comanches (15-2-2) past the No. 3 seeded Sailors. Canyon plays at Mater Dei in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
Los Alamitos 6, Corona del Mar 1: Vivi Zacarias continued her stellar season with two goals and an assist as the Griffins (15-5-4) advance to play host to Troy in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
Troy 1, Etiwanda 0: Erin Perry scored the lone goal to lead the Warriors. The junior also netted a goal in the first round against Capistrano Valley.
Mater Dei 2, Rosary 1: Kate Ross and Same Kim each scored to lead the Monarchs (11-6-4), who led 1-0 at halftime.
In the Open Division:
Santa Margarita 1, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 0: Felicity Nguyen scored late in the second half and goalie freshman Kaitlin Crossett recorded the shutout as the host Eagles (14-1-3) won the first round series 1-0-1. Santa Margarita plays Oaks Christian in the next series for a chance to reach the final.
Nguyen leads Santa Margarita with 18 goals.
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