Youth girls soccer: Never say die

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - There should be no surprises when a Battle of the

Bay game is played. And, that goes the same for girls under-12 Area Q

All-Stars soccer.

The Newport Beach Knockouts of Region 97 scored early in the third

quarter to put the odds against the Corona del Mar Lightning of Region

57. Knockout Kelsey Dunn, who took a pass from Stephanie Di Sano, fired a

shot into CdM’s net.

But, with less than five minutes remaining, CdM’s Katherine Ossipoff

scored a goal that ended the matchup in a 1-1 tie at the Buffalo Hills

field behind Anderson Elementary School Saturday.

CdM goalies Paige O’Brien and Paige Otterbein shared goalie duties and

held the Knockouts scoreless in three quarters.

The girls created action that kept heads turning back and forth as a

Back Bay boys game was played on the field just 10 yards away. That game,

too ended in a tie.

After Newport Beach scored its goal, the Lightning never gave up.

The Knockouts also battled through injuries. Morgann Schatzlien left

the game early when she damaged her shin, but she returned and almost

scored a goal in the third quarter.

The Knockouts (1-0-2) were just five minutes away from their second

win of the season. Earlier in the day, they tied with North Irvine as

Newport Beach allowed another game-tying goal in the final five minutes.

Barbie Argueta gave the Knockouts the early 1-0 edge.