Girls soccer: Tars win first playoff game in school history

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The result definitely didn’t come in storybook

fashion. But, the Newport Harbor High girls soccer team did win its first

CIF Southern Section playoff game in its school’s history, according to

former Harbor Coach Micki Huntress who began the program in 1981.

The Sailors (11-6-4), ranked No. 8 in Division II, broke away from a

2-2 halftime tie, outshot Loara, 11-1, and finished for a 5-3 CIF wild

card game victory Tuesday at Harper Community Center.

Harbor will now play at Troy, in the Division II first round, Friday

at 3 p.m.

“I’m so excited that we finally went one step up,” said Huntress from

her home. She guided the Tars to five CIF playoff appearances in 11

years.

“We kind of had a standstill there,” she said. “One year, we went as

the No. 1 team. We were unbeaten, which means we beat Corona del Mar, but

we still lost in the first round. We just never got past the first

round.”

Harbor appeared to be headed for another first-round loss. The Saxons

(17-7-2) grabbed the lead first when Jessica Medina snuck in a shot on a

counterattack with just six minutes spent.

“There’s no way that we can concede three goals in the playoffs,”

Sorrell said. “We have defended so well this year. We haven’t had three

goals scored on us this year, except for Capistrano Valley.”Harbor

answered Medina’s goal less than five minutes later. Senior Laura Kauth’s

shot was saved, but it set up the Tars’ first cornerkick. And, sophomore

Taryn Flamson served up her specialty, a bending floater that Amy Ross

finished for the 1-1 tie.

“I’m so nervous,” Flamson said of her thoughts before nailing a

cornerkick. “I never know how they’re going to turn out. I’m just hoping

it goes near the goal.”

She later booted another cornerkick that set up junior Lauren

Birchfield for an easy goal and gave the Sailors a 3-2 lead, six minutes

into the second half.

The Saxons were the surprise through the first half. And, the Sailors

played as if they were stunned, perhaps because it was their first CIF

playoff game since 1994 when they lost 2-1 to Dana Hills in a wild card

game.

“I don’t think we were nervous,” Birchfield said. “But, we played a

(bad) game. That wasn’t our caliber at all. Our next game we’re going to

come out a lot more harder and play with a lot more skill.”

Fifteen minutes after Birchfield’s goal, Harbor increased its lead as

junior Tory Manchester scored off a rebound. Ross’ shot bounced off the

right post and Manchester found the open net.

Shortly after the goal, Sorrell substituted for the starters,

including sophomore Amy Burlingham and Ross.

The Saxons then found their only shot of the second half and scored.

But, the Sailors regained their two-goal lead after Manchester’s shot

bounced off a Loara player for the final score.

Burlingham gave the Sailors their first lead. Loara goalie Jaclyn

Haniu left the net and Burlingham, who kicked the ball off the bounce,

sent a shot over her head. But, Loara scored with less than three minutes

remaining to knot the score at two goals apiece.