Sea Kings edge Sailors

The Corona del Mar High girls soccer team shrugged off recent

struggles and defeated Back Bay rival Newport Harbor, 2-1, Thursday

in a nonleague match.

CdM (2-6) took the lead in the 20th minute when sophomore Ali

Torres booted the ball to the top of the net off a corner kick.

Junior Kelly Morgan sent the ball into the penalty area on a corner

kick and junior Taylor Fallon headed the ball to the top of the

18-yard box, where Torres fired her goal.

Newport forward Krystal Wright scored the equalizer three minutes

before half. The junior crossed the ball to the far post where the

CdM goalkeeper first bobbled the shot before securing it.

But officials ruled the goalkeeper and most importantly, the ball,

crossed the plain of the goal line, allowing Newport the tying score.

Junior Rachel Yelsey collected a long throw in from CdM’s Hannah

Rollins for the deciding goal in the 65th minute. Yesley was about

17-yards out and headed the ball forcefully into the upper part of

the net for the game-winner.

The Sea Kings’ defense buckled down after that, maintaining

pressure that helped forge the squad’s second straight win over the

Sailors (3-2). CdM won last year’s Back Bay duel by the same 2-1

margin.

Mary Gibberson made three saves in goal for the Tars while her

counterpart, Katie Schiesser, finished with six saves.

CdM plays in the Irvine tournament beginning Monday while Newport

next takes the field in the Excalibur tournament Dec. 27, 28 and 29

at Foothill High.