Boys soccer: Newport battles Irvine to a draw

Tony Altobelli

IRVINE - Newport Harbor High’s boys soccer team used some good ol’

fashioned hard work and intensity to shut down host Irvine High’s

high-powered offense, salvaging a 1-1 tie in Sea View League action

Friday.

“Irvine has one of the highest scoring teams in the county and to hold

them to only one goal speaks volumes for how we played today,” Coach Matt

West said. “Our effort was unbelievable.”

The tie keeps the Sailors (6-6-4, 2-0-3 in league) a point ahead of

Irvine (2-1-2 in league) for second place and within striking distance of

first-place Woodbridge.

Newport goalkeeper Duke Burchell had eight saves and kept the Tars in the

game long enough for sophomore Andy Newsom to supply the game-tying goal

in the 68 minute.

“Duke was very strong out there,” West said. “He’s keeping his composure

out there and he’s getting tougher and tougher to beat.”

The goal was produced off a hard shot from junior Riley Madigan, which

was stopped, but not controlled by the Vaqueros’ goalkeeper.

Newsom pounced on the loose ball and sent a rocket into the vacated goal,

sending a wave of relief over the Sailors.

Irvine got on the board first when Matt Taylor scored among the masses in

front of the net halfway though the first half.

From there, however, the Sailors controlled the tempo of the game with

strong defensive play from Ryan Hernandez, Juan Gonzalez, Springer Brown

and Scott Perkins.

West was also pleased with the play of Kevin Yoches, who filled in at

sweeper and kept Irvine from starting anything offensive.

“He showed why he is so valuable to us,” West said. “His ability to play

at different spots is crucial.”

Newport will host Laguna Hills on Wednesday, before engaging with

Woodbridge on the road on Friday.

“If we thought playing here was hostile,” West warned. “Just wait until

we play Woodbridge on Friday.”