Boys soccer: Sailors force a deadlock with Woodbridge

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - In a game heavy with tension, the Newport Harbor

High boys soccer team battled visiting Woodbridge to a 3-3 tie in Sea

View League action Friday evening.

“That was a great soccer game played by two great soccer teams,”

Newport Coach Matty West said. “Both teams played their hearts out.”

The Warriors (14-4-4, 1-2-2 in league) jumped out to a 2-0 lead and

controlled the first 56 minutes of action.

Minutes 57 through 77 were dominated by Newport (3-5-6, 1-2-3). Two

goals by senior Trey Meek and one goal by David Marshall propelled the

Sailors to a 3-2 lead.

Newport nearly pulled off the comeback win, but Woodbridge freshman

Peter Lawry ripped a free kick off the crossbar, recovered the ricochet

and scored in the 78th minute.

“The way both teams played, it should have ended in a tie,” West said.

“As for our players, we played with heart, determination and a belief

that we could come back against a great team,” West said. “It was nice to

watch.”

Marshall got the Sailors’ first goal at the 57th minute. On a

three-on-two break, Meek sent the ball wide to Marshall, who placed a

perfect shot into the lower-right corner of the goal, making it 2-1.

Two minutes later, Meek used his ball-handling skills to draw a foul

deep in the Warriors’ zone, drawing a penalty kick.

The senior standout buried the PK and the game was tied, 2-2.

Seven minutes later, Meek split two defensemen and drilled a shot into

the upper-right corner for a 3-2 Sailors’ advantage.

Goalie Duke Burchell (10 saves) came up with several huge stops to

give Newport the opportunity to come back in the first place.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without Duke,” West said. “He showed why

he’s the best goalkeeper in the Sea View League tonight.”

West was also happy with the play of Kevin Campos, Tyler Simmons and

Juan Gonzales. “All three stepped up and did an outstanding job,” West

said.

Newport will host Laguna Hills Monday at 5 p.m.