One is enough for Andersen

Steve Virgen

It was a scintillating goal that displayed the essence of teamwork,

and perhaps fittingly, it proved to be the difference in a tightly

contested boys fifth- and sixth-grade gold division soccer game of

the fifth annual Daily Pilot Cup.

Parker Stone scored for the Andersen Dolphins in the 12th minute,

capping a dazzling play and leading the Dolphins to a 1-0 victory

over Newport Heights Wednesday at the Costa Mesa Farm Complex.

From midfield, Chris FauntLeroy started the play that led to the

goal with a nice pass to Brennan Anderson, who delivered another

accurate pass to a speedy Randall Nelson.

A Newport Heights defender came to steal the ball away, but Nelson

averted him. Nelson sidestepped past yet another defender before

sending the ball to Stone. The pass also resulted in putting the

Sharks’ goalie out of position, making it easier for Stone to score.

“It was a nice goal and a nice finish,” Andersen Coach Dan Ford

said.

The Dolphins (1-0-1) controlled the first half, outshooting the

Sharks, 6-0. Newport Heights goalie Austin Deyan helped keep the

Sharks in the game with four saves. He had another four saves in the

second half.

“We had our chances, but we just didn’t finish,” Ford said.

“[Deyan] played well. He made very good decisions.”

While the Dolphins controlled the first 25 minutes, Coach Will

Guzman made sure to change the story in the second half. Guzman, who

was a team captain for the Newport Harbor High boys soccer team that

reached the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division II

playoffs, did his best to motivate his squad.

The Sharks were attacking and had two shots on goal early in the

second half, but the Dolphins turned them away. Newport Heights never

gave up even though it was missing one of its key players. In the

13th minute of the second half, Newport Heights lost Scott Pantoskey

to a forearm injury. The ball hit Pantoskey’s left arm midway through

the first half, but the boy continued to play.

Ford said his defense also contributed to the victory, as he

credited midfielder Jason Dillion, younger brother of former Corona

del Mar High athlete Blake Dillion, and sweeper Brian Ford. Goalie

Emery Molnar recorded one save.

The Dolphins were also strengthened by their numbers. They have 19

players on the roster. Dan Ford would substitute five to seven

players at a time throughout the game.