Girls soccer: Sailors ready for much improved season

Tony Altobelli

This year’s Newport Harbor High girls soccer team brings more

experience to the table than last year’s 2-12-2 squad.

That’s quite an amazing statement considering the number of sophomores

on the team doubles the number of seniors.

Four of those sophomores, Tricia Orth, Amy Burlingham, Taryn Flamson

and Kate Younglove, were all members of last year’s varsity team and all

look to bring plenty of learning experience to this year’s team.

“The team is a year older,” Newport Coach Jason Sorrell said. “Our

freshmen from last year have matured and everyone is playing real well.”

Burlingham is just one of the young weapons on Sorrell’s team who will

be asked to pick up a big chunk of the Sailors’ offense.

In just four games this season, Burlingham has already netted four

goals and Newport (3-1) has already bettered last year’s win total.

Sorrell is also looking for Younglove and senior Satya Twena to supply

the remaining offensive spark.

“All three girls have the potential to put a ton of goals into the net

for us,” Sorrell said.

Behind those three, Newport will rely on Flamson and junior Tory

Manchester to use their ball-handling abilities to set up Newport’s

snipers.

“Their work has been tremendous,” Sorrell said. “Both are good kids

with a great deal of talent.”

Senior Meredith Miller and junior Laruen Birchfield will patrol the

center of the field and help lead a stingy defense.

“We’ve only allowed two goals in four games and those two have a lot

to do with that,” Sorrell said. “Even with the speed of Burlingham and

Younglove up front, they can hustle back and really clog up the field to

help our defense.”

If the ball does manage to sneak past the defense, Newport will have

junior transfer KiIssa Tyler in goal to smother the shots.

“She came to us over the summer from Texas and has done a great job

for us,” Sorrell said.

Sophomore Jonna Fredriksen will also be used at goalkeeper as Newport

tries to figure out a way to join the Sea View League’s elite teams.

“Aliso Niguel and Woodbridge are always the teams to beat in our

league,” Sorrell said. “It’s funny because we seem to play well against

Woodbrige, but we don’t have a clue against Aliso. Well, there’s 11

players out there on each team and anything can happen.”

Newport Harbor Girls Roster

GK KiIssa Tyler Jr.

GK Jonna Fredriksen So.

2 Katie Yeager Jr.

3 Meredith Miller Sr.

4 Satya Twena Sr.

5 Tricia Orth So.

6 Megan Beeson So.

7 Laura Kauth Sr.

8 Mary Eimers Sr.

9 Amy Burlingham So.

10 Lauren Birchfield Jr.

11 Tory Manchester Jr.

12 Taryn Flamson So.

13 Amber Taylor Jr.

14 Colleen Farrell Sr.

15 Sabrina Couch So.

16 Amy Ross Jr.

18 Kristen Nahin Jr.

19 Kate Younglove So.

Coach: Jason Sorrell