Newport surging in playoffs

Cailea Eisenberg scored both goals and the Newport Beach girls

under-12 all-star soccer team shut out South Irvine, 2-0, for one of

its two victories Feb. 14 in the AYSO Region 97 playoffs.

Ava Nelson assisted on Eisenberg’s first goal early in the game.

Newport relied on a strong defense to thwart any South Irvine

attack.

Christie Ohlhaver, Kelly Rorden, Jackie Graham and Emily Boone all

controlled their areas.

Sarah Buckingham, Nelson and Meghan Nance, in turn, pressured the

Irvine defense.

Newport then defeated North Irvine, 1-0.

Kathryn Zimmermann’s corner kick flew across the six-yard box as

Lauren D’Ippolito charged toward the far post to redirect the ball

into the goal with two minutes to go. Nicole Baker drew the corner

kick.

Newport pounded the Irvine goal with shots in the second half.

Jackie Graham and Eisenberg fed balls to Nelson and Kiley Johson.

North Irvine managed just four shots on goalkeepers Nance and

Tabitha Goff.

Emily Boone, Ohlhaver, Rorden and Brianna Truxton all contributed

strong defense.

In the girls under-10 Gold Division playoffs:

Newport’s all-star team advanced to the semifinals of the Area Q

playoffs with two victories Feb. 14.

* Newport 3, Costa Mesa 2: Meghan Kay, Nicole Dinatale and Josie

Jogwe all scored goals for Newport, which erased a 2-1 deficit.

A strong defense led by Allison Schelin, Delaney Bell and Sophia

Evans paved the way.

Savanna Gastineau, Kay and Dinatale were all strong in goal while

Madison Wooters and Madison Grant each tallied assists.

* Newport 4, Yorba Linda 2:

Jogwe scored twice while Grant and Kay each found the back of the

net once for Newport, which knocked off the No. 3 seed. Wooters

assisted on one goal.

Bell, Schelin, Evans and Gastineau led the defense. Gastineau, Kay

and Dinatale all played well in goal.