One half not near enough for Sailors

NEWPORT BEACH — The Newport Harbor girls’ soccer team lost Tuesday, but in a small way it was a victory for Sailors’ first-year coach Josh Brooks.

San Clemente (3-0), ranked No. 10 in CIF Southern Section Division I, demonstrated the style of play Brooks is trying instill in his team. It’s a style that includes crisp short passes, the offense attacking down the sideline and physical play.

After watching the Tritons execute throughout the first half, taking a 2-0 lead in the process, the Sailors proved to be quick studies, controlling the second half despite ultimately falling, 2-0, at home.

“My girls can see how well they execute,” Brooks said. “They played the same brand of soccer. They can see that our style works. I wouldn’t say they are a model, but we like their style.”

While the Sailors struggled to get a clear look at the goal in the first half, Newport Harbor (3-2) ended the game feeling it missed out on numerous open opportunities coming off centering passes.

“We just had nobody on the receiving end,” Brooks said. “We have quality players. Scoring goals is like building a house and playing defense is like tearing down a house. It’s a lot easier to destroy something than it is to build something. Hopefully we’re about two or three games away from cleaning it up.”

The Sailors were also slightly off with their short passing, an integral part to the offense, something Brooks said the team will work on.

“It was either a little too far or a little too short,” Brooks said. “It’s definitely difficult to play on this field when it’s wet, but it’s our home field and we have to take pride in how we play here.”

Junior Crystal Mena used her quickness and ball handling skills to find openings for centering passes which ignited the Sailors’ offense. Mena said senior forward Leslie Boler was also key on the outside.

“We could have shot a little better, but we dominated the second half,” said Mena, who added that freshman forward Gillan Hogan made for a good target in front of the goal. “We just have to be aggressive. That’s something we lacked in the first half.”

Senior forward Alex Conley said the biggest improvement the Sailors have made this season is in their attacking down the sideline.

“At the beginning of the year we barely had wings penetrating,” Conley said. “The crosses were great. Crystal has some nifty moves.”

Conley led the Sailors’ physical charge in the second half, moving her way through the Tritons’ defenders as they collapsed on her.

“We played hard it was unfortunate we lost,” Conley said. “I don’t think we have to do that much to get to their level. We just have to capitalize on our opportunities. We had over 10 opportunities to score.”

Brooks said it was positive to see his team rebound after a one-sided first half.

“The kids showed a lot of character and that’s what we’re trying to instill,” Brooks said. “They’re being a little tougher and not accepting losing. You have to give credit to San Clemente they’re a good squad. They came to play. We just have to play physical and execute our passes.”

Newport plays host to Laguna Hills Thursday at 3:15 p.m.