Sailors’ upset denied

Steve Virgen

There were few words to offer his team after it lost 1-0 in sudden

death overtime, but Newport Harbor High boys soccer coach Ryan

Hernandez had to say something.

The Sailors appeared heartbroken after Thousand Oaks junior

standout Jason Leopoldo came up with the golden goal two minutes into

the first 10-minute, sudden death overtime period in a CIF Southern

Section Division II quarterfinal Thursday at Newport Harbor.

The teams played 102 minutes: 80 minutes of regulation, two

10-minute overtime periods and two minutes into sudden death.

“At least we lost to the best team,” Hernandez said. “There’s

nothing else we could have done ... That’s just the way life is. I

told them, go and do whatever you have to do in life for today and

you’ll be fine. Just know how it is to not get that last step.”

Thousand Oaks (25-3-3), the Division II top seed, celebrated by

piling on Leopoldo shortly after he took off his jersey and sprinted

toward his sideline. Lancers Coach Mark Tietjen said he was just as

relieved as he was joyous to get past the Sailors.

The Lancers were definitely aware of Newport senior Joel Walker,

who scored 35 goals this season, including four in the Sailors’ 4-0

second-round win over Valley View Tuesday and two in their 3-0

first-round victory over El Dorado.

“We just had total awareness of where [Walker] was at,” Tietjen

said. “You could see how dangerous he was when he did get an

opportunity. We’re glad to be past this team and we’re glad not to

have to face that one anymore.”

Leopoldo’s goal came from a throw-in near the corner on the

visitors sideline. Paul Domicone threw in the ball near Newport’s net

about 15 yards out. The Sailors (17-6) struggled to clear out the

ball and Leopoldo, a member of the boys under-18 national team, poked

through the defense and got off a shot toward the bottom right corner

of the net.

“That last goal came in traffic,” Tietjen said. “The ball had eyes

and it kind of played to the corner. What a great goal. There’s

nothing better than a golden goal.”

Leopoldo’s goal also ended Newport’s hopes of facing its Back Bay

rival, Corona del Mar, in the semifinals. The Sea Kings defeated St.

Francis, 3-2, and will take on host Thousand Oaks Tuesday.

Tietjen and Hernadez said Thursday’s game was evenly played.

Thousand Oaks outshot Newport, 10-6, during regulation. Sailors

senior goalie Taylor Carver kept Newport in the game with nine saves,

including a show-stopping stuff five minutes into the first overtime

period.

Carver left his feet to stop a point-blank shot by Leopoldo.

Hernandez also said junior David Manchester was sensational on

defense, primarily marking Leopoldo. Junior Sean Woods and senior

Chase Kelly also supported Newport’s defense, while seniors Matt

Tracy and Skyler Taugher, as well as Walker were threats on offense.

“It was a hard-fought game, a typical playoff game,” Tietjen said.

“There was lots of good soccer out there, lots of intensity.”

Said Hernandez: “We haven’t played a structured team in so long.

None of the teams we’ve played have anything on these guys. They’re

going to go through CdM like we did.”

The Sailors, the Sea View League tri-champions, were drained

emotionally and physically after the wild and long match. Many of the

players wept and consoled each other.

“It was amazing,” Walker said of the game. “I’ve been in games

like that, but usually come out the winner in club soccer. Now I know

how it feels to be on the other side. But it was a great year. I had

a wonderful year with this team. I wouldn’t trade anything for it.”

Walker had a direct free kick that sailed just above the net from

about 25 yards out in the 37th minute. Other than that, he was

defended well. Tracy had a few scoring chances, including one in the

60th minute, but Kenny Negron came up with the save.

“It was a battle,” said Tracy, who will play at Cal State

Northridge next season. “It was real good game, but [it’s bad] to

lose. I’m glad to be a part of it, but it’s tough to lose that one.”