Eagles pass by Mustangs

Estancia’s superior dribbling and passing lead to easy victory over Costa Mesa in league opener.COSTA MESA -- The Estancia High boys’ soccer team boasts slick passing and ball-handling skills. And when it plays on a flat surface with no bumps or slopes -- like Orange Coast College’s Field Turf -- its skills shine.

The Eagles controlled the ball for most of Wednesday’s game and defeated crosstown rival Costa Mesa, 5-0, in the Golden West League opener for both teams at Orange Coast College.

“Our passing was phenomenal today,” Estancia Coach Gannon Burks said. “We came to play for 80 minutes.”

Albert Napoles and Hector Diaz netted two goals each, and Denny Perdomo added a goal and three assists for the Eagles (4-5, 1-0).

Napoles opened the scoring with an unassisted goal in the first minute.

Diaz got into the act later in the half when he took a pass from Perdomo on the right side of the box and fired the ball just inside the far post from a tough angle.

Napoles tallied his second goal in the 66th minute when Diaz took a free kick from 30 yards out. Perdomo’s header in the 18-yard box found its way to Napoles, who scored to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead.

“My goals came on passes from the outside,” Napoles said. “The defense couldn’t get it out. I just took advantage of defensive errors.”

After Perdomo scored, he and Diaz teamed up again to conclude the scoring late in the second half. Perdomo deflected Jose Rodriguez’s corner kick to Diaz, who put the ball away.

“It feels good to beat them,” Perdomo said. “They are our rivals and they always talk like they’re going to beat us.”

The Mustangs haven’t had any luck while Burks has been coaching Estancia.

The Eagles, under Burks, are 3-0 against Costa Mesa after sweeping the season series last season.

Alex Salguero, Robert Abarca and Eduardo Castillo anchored the defense, which allowed just three shots on goal.

Eagles’ goalkeeper Marco Burciaga, who suffered an ankle injury and had to sit out most of Estancia’s 3-0 loss to Palos Verdes on Saturday, returned and recorded two saves to pick up the shutout.

“His ankle was feeling OK, and it helped that he didn’t have to do a lot today,” Burks said.

Edgar Ayala turned in a solid defensive effort for Costa Mesa, which came out flat in its league opener.

Burks said he was happy to get one rivalry victory under his belt, but added that there was another team on his radar.

“Costa Mesa has been our rival, but I think we have a new rival -- Saddleback,” Burks said.

“They’ve been dominating our league. That’s the team we’re trying to get ready for.”

Estancia will play host to Saddleback Jan. 13.

Golden West League

Estancia 5, Costa Mesa 0

Score by Halves