Tars power past Sea Kings

Steve Virgen

Though it is early in the season, Newport Harbor High’s boys water

polo team still managed to make a statement with its 8-4 victory over

Back Bay rival Corona del Mar in pool-play action of the South Coast

tournament on Thursday at CdM.

The Sailors actually sent a message to their own football team, in

a sense saying, “We defeated CdM, now it’s your turn.”

Newport Harbor (2-2) played its best game of the young season and

overpowered the Sea Kings, opening the door for the Sailors’ football

team to see what it will do against CdM tonight at 7 at OCC.

“We wanted to play well,” Newport Coach Jason Lynch said. “It’s a

crosstown rival, the Battle of the Bay, and the football team will be

playing that [tonight]. We wanted to get that going. I thought we

played with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Lynch also said the Sailors were expecting to play the Sea Kings,

figuring they would beat Long Beach Poly and CdM would defeat Santa

Margarita, which set up the rivalry matchup. Newport defeated Poly,

12-2, and CdM earned a 12-5 win over Santa Margarita.

“We don’t have a nonleague game with them,” Lynch said. “This

might be the only time we get to play them this season.”

The Sailors made the most of their opportunity and built a 4-0

lead before halftime. Senior Bryan Auer, who scored two goals, got

Newport on the scoreboard with his goal on a six-on-five opportunity.

Newport Harbor then went on a 3-0 run in the second quarter and

never looked back. Auer scored again taking advantage of the Sailors’

extra-man chance. Auer’s younger brother, Brett Auer, followed with a

goal of his own, as Newport used crisp, accurate passes during its

man-advantage situation.

With 3:11 left before the half, Sailor senior Griffin Gentry, who

transferred from CdM last spring, stole the ball and scored on the

breakaway. Gentry, who said he had extra motivation to win, scored

two goals, as did Brett Auer, who also had five steals.

Newport senior Michael Bury and sophomore Clay Jorth contributed

one goal each, while junior goalie Michael Robinson recorded nine

saves and six steals.

“Michael Robinson had a very good game,” Lynch said.

The Sea Kings struggled in the first half, and had just one shot

in the first quarter. CdM senior Daniel Niehenke found the back of

the cage on an outside shot with 2:23 left in the third quarter.

Spencer Pirdy and Tom Money scored in the fourth quarter for the Sea

Kings (2-4).

CdM first-year coach Mike Evans said the Sailors’ ball control and

the Sea Kings lack of it made the difference.

Newport continues tourney play today at 5 p.m. against Villa Park,

while CdM will take on The Bishop’s at 6. Both games are at CdM.

*--*

South Coast tournament Pool play

Newport Harbor 8, Corona del Mar 4

Score by Quarters

CdM 0 0 1 3 -- 4

Newport 1 3 1 3 -- 8

CdM -- Niehenke 1, Pirdy 1, Money 1. Saves --

Sanford 11.

Newport -- Bry. Auer 2, Bre. Auer 2, Gentry 2,

Bury 1, Jorth 1. Saves -- Robinson 9.

*--*