Hedrick is ideal last line of defense for the Sailors

maleathleteofweek-hedrickNewport Harbor goalie did a standout job against Corona del Mar, shutting out the Sea Kings in the Battle of the Bay.Before the Newport Harbor High boys’ soccer team’s Back Bay rivalry game against Corona del Mar, high-scoring Sea Kings forward Allan Hardison gave Sailors goalkeeper Carson Hedrick a phone call.

“He’s a friend of mine. He called me and said we’re in for a tough game,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick, who remembers the sting of losing to Corona del Mar last year, was ready. The 6-foot-1 senior goalkeeper made 10 saves -- including several on shots inside the 18-yard box -- to lead the Sailors to a 1-0 victory.

“That was the best game of my life,” said Hedrick, who made several saves on his pal Hardison during the game.

“I was expecting a lot of shots from Hardison,” Hedrick said. “And I got them.”

Hedrick almost earned an assist when he kicked the ball from 18-yard box to 18-yard box, illustrating another of his strengths besides keeping the ball out of his own net -- his powerful kicks.

“To have a guy with a huge leg and good hands on crosses is huge for us,” Newport Harbor Coach Ryan Hernandez said. “You want to see a guy like him as your last line of defense.”

Hedrick made the varsity team as a sophomore but played sparingly. He earned the starting job on varsity as a junior, and has come into his own as a senior.

What does he consider to be the keys to his success?

“My ugliness helps,” he said. “Just kidding. My kicks. I can whack the ball. I’m all around pretty powerful.”

Hedrick said he also counts his abilities to stay tuned and sacrifice his body as strengths.

“You have to want to risk your body every second,” he said. “Forwards run in at full speed, you could get broken fingers from shots. You have to be mentally focused.”

Hedrick is big and aggressive -- two positive traits for a goalkeeper.

“To have someone as big and vocal as him is huge,” Hernandez said. “He’s a big presence. Guys don’t want to go up against him. He goes up and punches balls. People don’t want to go up and head balls when he’s there.”

Hedrick has three shutouts so far this season, but none was bigger than the one against CdM.

“It was the coolest thing ever. We lost, 2-0, to them last year and it’s been on our minds ever since,” Hedrick said. “Our defense was amazing and I had the game of my life.”

Hedrick’s play is one big reason why Newport Harbor (5-3) already has more wins than last season’s 3-11-2 mark.

“Last year, we didn’t do too well,” Hedrick said. “This year, we have nothing to lose -- that’s how we’re playing.”

The Carson Hedrick File

Hometown: Costa Mesa

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 180

Sport: Soccer

Position: Goalkeeper

Coach: Ryan Hernandez

Favorite food: Fettuccini Alfredo

Favorite movie: “Blow”

Favorite athletic moment: “Beating Corona del Mar last Friday.”

Week in review: Hedrick was instrumental in Newport Harbor’s Back Bay victory over rival Corona del Mar, registering 10 saves, many on high-percentage chances. Newport won bragging rights by capturing the 1-0 victory at Corona del Mar High. 20051224KN1MBDRLNo Caption20051224irzcmencDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)