Girls soccer: Harbor takes third place with loss

Steve Virgen

ALISO NIGUEL - With a strong desire to prove itself as contenders,

the Newport Harbor High girls soccer team set its sights on Aliso Niguel

to make the statement.

Though the host Wolverines won, 2-1, Thursday, Sailors’ Coach Jason

Sorrell believed his team proved its point, yet settled for third place

in the Sea View League. Aliso Coach Randy Dodge was also aware of

Harbor’s intent and has been aware of the Tars’ rise throughout the

season.

“Newport Harbor is the most underrated team in Orange County,” Dodge

said. “They need their props because they did a great job, (but) this

time we’re on the better end of the result.”

The Wolverines (18-3-2, 5-2-1 in league), ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern

Section Division I, finished second in the Sea View League after Tessa

Baker’s kick, which deflected off a Harbor player, broke a 1-1 tie with

13 minutes remaining.

Woodbridge won the Sea View League with a 4-0 victory over Irvine.

Harbor (10-6-4, 4-2-2), ranked No. 8 in Division II, actually

increased its intensity after Aliso scored with two minutes spent when

Lisa Stenberg sent a free indirect kick to the back of Harbor’s net.

Sophomore Amy Burlingham then led the Tars’ attack as she earned two

cornerkicks. And, the defense set out to answer Sorrell’s call. Sailors’

goalie KiIssa Tyler finished with six saves and she left the net three

times in the first half to stop the Wolverines.

With six minutes remaining Harbor junior Amber Taylor booted the ball

to clear out an Aliso threat and the Sailors capitalized on the

counterattack.

Taylor was replaced by junior Kristen Nahin, who quickly threw the

ball in front of Aliso’s net. Harbor sophomore Katie Younglove finished

the set-up pass with 3:10 remaining before halftime.

“We played with a lot of heart,” Sorrell said. “We said at halftime,

‘Are we satisfied with a tie? No we’re not.’ ” We wanted to prove a

point. And, we did. I’m not disappointed.”

The Tars controlled the second half with scrappy play that resulted in

four shots. The Wolverines earned just two shots, which came in the final

22 minutes.

Burlingham fired a shot five minutes into the second half but it was

slapped away as Marissa Welliver dove and stretched for the save.

Welliver finished with five saves.

With 23 minutes remaining, the Tars nearly scored as Younglove’s

header from a Taylor throw-in was nullified because Harbor was whistled

for offsides.

Thursday marked the third game, Aliso had its three standout forwards

playing at once. Baker, Kim Devine and Stacy Lindstrom recovered from

injuries and Sorrell said the Wolverines were much more aggressive

because of their presence.

For the first time since 1994, the Tars are back in the playoffs. The

CIF Southern Section Division II playoff pairings will be determined

Monday.

“We just wanted to make the playoffs,” Sorrell said of his preseason

goals. “As the season went on we thought we could win league. We played

well with Woodbridge and Aliso. We didn’t deserve to lose this game.”