The Lancers and Vikings girls soccer teams met Monday before beginning their respective league play later in the week.
Other than working out the kinks, not much was settled as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in nonleague play at Orange Lutheran High. The Lancers are now 2-8-5 while the Vikings moved to 5-3-4.

“The girls came out quick,” Lancers coach Steve Mattoon said. “We came out and scored the first goal. I think we got a little worn down the second half.”
The teams each had one good attack before the Lancers grabbed the 1-0 lead on Missy Lazcano’s goal. She dribbled down the left half, beat two defenders, then kicked it in far post.
The goal held up through the half and late in the second. However, Marina was generating constant attacks after halftime and scored with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Off a corner kick, Jordan O’Brien sent a high ball toward net. Alex McCollum leaped for the header. Lancer goalie Cory Tobin jumped with her. The ball hit off Tobin’s hands and was put it by Devon Shinn to tie it at 1.
“We pressured more in the second half,” said Marina coach Rebecca Carr, who was subbing for head coach Mike Greco. “We were on it more. We were a little sluggish in the first half. Our focus was off a little bit. We came back in the second half and were able to keep our shape. We definitely had more confidence.”
Marina and Orange Lutheran now turn their attention to league. The Vikings open Sunset League play against Fountain Valley on Thursday. The Lancers host JSerra in Trinity action Thursday.
They are in similar spots in their respective leagues. The Sunset’s top teams are No. 3 Esperanza and No. 5 Los Alamitos and it figures everyone else is fighting for the final playoff spot.
With No. 7 Mater Dei and No. 10 Santa Margarita, the Trinity’s final playoff spot is up for grabs.
“We are ready to come out and show we are ready to vie for a title,” Mattoon said. “The season starts on Thursday.”
The Vikings, who reached the quarterfinals of CIF last season, understand what’s ahead.
“We definitely need to be really focused at practice,” Carr said. “Our forwards need to get a little more creative and we need to press harder.
“But I believe it’s a mental game. We need to be prepared mentally. That has a lot to do with practice.”

• Girls soccer: Orange Lutheran, Marina play to 1-1 draw

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