Matt Tracy

Steve Virgen

There’s a saying in sports that exemplifies Matt Tracy’s persona.

You have to want it, to win it.

Tracy, a senior forward for the Newport Harbor High boys soccer

team, is clearly passionate about the game. When it comes to soccer,

he talks the talk. And, when it came to facing Foothill in a battle

for first place in the Sea View League last week, Tracy walked the

walk.

The Sailors’ co-captain scored three goals, leading Newport to a

4-0 victory over the Knights Jan. 28. Tracy’s hat trick that led to

the win avenged the Tars’ 2-0 loss at Foothill Jan. 9.

It was a performance that showed what Tracy is capable of, Newport

Coach Ryan Hernandez said.

“He’s just so into [the game],” Hernandez said of the Daily Pilot

Athlete of the Week. “Sometimes he doesn’t know where to put the

energy ... Matt is the example of our team. He’s so capable of going

all the way, but the only thing that stops him is himself. The only

thing that should stop us is us.”

Tracy fulfilled his potential against the Knights with his hat

trick. Of his three goals, his second was his favorite. It came early

in the second half.

“It was a pass from Will Trujillo and I just whacked it to the

near post,” Tracy said. “I was about 18 yards out.”

The Sailors’ victory over the Knights capped a five-game winning

streak that gave Newport and Tracy plenty of confidence.

“We had lost to them 2-0 and we had to get that one,” Tracy said.

“They had been undefeated [in league]. We just came out and whooped

up on them.”

However, the Sailors came back to earth and had their five-game

winning streak snapped at the hands of Aliso Niguel, the league’s

last-place team, 1-0, Jan. 30.

“It was demoralizing to lose,” Tracy said. “We were on a high from

Foothill and we weren’t concentrating as much as we should have. I

think we should have concentrated more on it.”

The Sailors bounced back with a 3-2 win over Irvine Wednesday,

when Tracy had an assist to contribute to the victory. The triumph

brought a sense of relief for Tracy.

“I play with a lot of heart and I don’t want to lose at all,” he

said. “I get caught up in the game sometimes and I get too emotional.

I just love soccer. I just love the fact that it’s a team sport and

the team comes together. There’s just nothing I would rather do than

play soccer.”

Tracy, who also plays for the Wolfpack under-19 premier team

coached by Scott Goldman, plans to continue competing in soccer in

college next year. He has gained interest from Cal State Northridge,

St. Mary’s and UC Santa Cruz.

Tracy has been eyeing Cal State Northridge as he attempts to end

his senior season on a high note. This is his third year on the

Sailors’ varsity squad and he has shown improvement each season,

Hernandez said.

Hernandez has seen first-hand Tracy’s growth. Hernandez was the

frosh-soph coach when Tracy was a freshman. When Hernandez became a

varsity assistant the following year, Tracy made the move up as well.

“[Teammates Will Guzman and Joel Walker] kind of went off and made

[junior varsity in their freshman year],” Hernandez said. “Matt

waited his turn. He grew and everyone noticed. He’s a big strong kid.

He has grown not only in size, but his skills have gotten a lot

better. With anyone that’s fast it’s hard to control the ball. But

he’s big, too.”

Tracy, who also competes in track and field for Newport, is one of

the fastest players on the team, but because of his size, 6-foot-1,

190 pounds, he has to control his quickness, Tracy said.

“I think Joel is faster than me,” said Tracy who has scored 13

goals this season. “I’m a little too big to move that fast. I’m just

strong and strong to the ball. I’m good in the air. I am fast. A lot

of people don’t think I’m that fast.”