Boys youth soccer: Live and learn for Newport

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - The All-Stars soccer season produces above average

learning experiences. Just ask the Newport Beach All-Stars under-14 team.

After a earning a tie in the morning, Newport Beach of Region 97 lost,

7-0, to first-place Flight 1, Pool A South Irvine of Region 144 Saturday

on Anderson Field.

The South Irvine All-Stars now boast a 7-1 record as Jonathan Brick

scored three goals and Javier Duenas and Brian Adl each had two.

Newport Beach tied, 2-2, with Costa Mesa earlier in the day when Kyle

Hirst and Telford Cottom scored for the Newport All-Stars.

Against South Irvine, Brick scored the first three goals before

controversy and an injury struck Newport Beach. Just before halftime, a

Newport All-Stars’ player had to leave the game because of a red card.

Then, Sean Rowe, one of Newport’s best players, left with a strained calf

muscle injury.

South Irvine, coached by Mario Duenas, capitalized and built on its

lead, but Newport never gave up. Rowe returned and in the final 11

minutes, Newport’s All-Stars gained the advantage, making several

attacks.

“I just really wanted to help my team out,” Rowe said of his reason to

return despite injury. He said it didn’t matter the deficit, he wanted to

support his teammates.

Toward the end of the third quarter, Brandon Sowers drew a penalty for

Newport, but his penalty shot smacked off the crossbar. And, in the final

five minutes, Cameron Guy fired two shots that nearly found the net. Phil

Houton sent a shot that sailed inches above South Irvine’s crossbar.

“I’m hoping they learn a lot by playing with each other,” said Newport

Coach Jayme Brotsos. “The whole all-star experience is playing with

people on the same skill level before they go to high school. Just having

fun, that’s our No. 1 goal.”