After slow start, Sea Kings dispatch Patriots 13-6

Sophomore Hoyt Crance thwarted numerous Patriot barrages, recording 13 saves in a 13-6 win.

It was just another routine, sunny Southern California afternoon, nothing special. Which is just how the Sea Kings appeared in the early going of their home opener against formal PCL rival Beckman. Routine. Nothing special.

"It took us a little time to get going today," CDM head coach G.W. Mix commented after the win. "Fortunately, Hoyt was able to hold down the fort for us until the rest of the team showed up. He gave a big time performance."

Sophomore Hoyt Crance recorded 13 saves on the afternoon (.684%), many of which were of the spectacular variety, right on the doorstep. His poise and athleticism were impressive for just his third varsity game. In CDM"s first three games, Crance has earned a save percentage of .685% and his defense is allowing just 3.6 goals per game.

"On paper, those numbers are impressive. But we don't play on paper, and the next three teams are nothing like the first three. We have quite a bit of work to do. We can't ask Hoyt to do that very often and expect the same result."

Senior midfielder Brett Nelson was a dominant force for most of the afternoon, making the most of the opportunities he had, scoring 3 goals to lead all CDM midfielders.

"Brett was impressive today," Mix added. "He did his job and did it well. Made heads up plays, took good high percentage shots and finished. He made his presence known all over the field."

The Sea Kings took advantage of Nelson's athleticism, getting him involved in the offense, clearing game, and even at the defensive end.

"Brett's one of those special athletes. We can ask him to do just about anything and his abilities and instincts get him through the situation better than most."

In addition to Nelson's three goal performance. Casey Mix (Sr/Attack) recorded four goals and three assists and fellow senior attackman Jack Ortlieb added three tallies and an assist.

Sherwin Gersten (So/Midfield), Ben Palitz (So/Midfield) and Chris Von Der Ahe (Sr/Midfield) each scored a goal, while Max Kline (So/Midfield) added an assist.

Up next for CDM is a match-up against Santa Margarita Catholic, who is coming off an impressive 11-10 win Tuesday evening against Tesoro (OC Top 10 ). The game is at Noon at Santa Margarita Catholic HS. The JV will play immediately after the conclusion of the varsity game.