Tie suits Newport Harbor coach just fine

ALISO VIEJO — For once, most of the words coming from Larry Draluck’s mouth weren’t meant for Lexi Deol.

Coach and player stood on the pitch, but Deol was taking direction from someone else: Aliso Niguel High Coach Randy Dodge.

Draluck, who started coaching the Newport Harbor girls’ team this year, has been Deol’s club soccer coach on the SoCal Blues since she was 9 years old. Thursday night was the first time they found themselves rooting against each other.

It didn’t matter. Neither got the smug satisfaction of beating the other because the teams tied, 1-1.

“Nobody likes ties,” Draluck said, laughing. “But I’d rather nobody leaves happy.”

Deol a senior, plays forward for Aliso Niguel, ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division I.

“It’s weird,” she said. “But I’ve played for him for so long that it’s just more fun than anything. It’s not too competitive. He’s like family. It’s fun to see a different side. It sucks to tie to him though. I want to beat him.”

It was one of the better ties of the season for Newport Harbor (5-3-5), because of the Wolverines’ high ranking.

What’s more, the Sailors were missing senior starters Emily Ohlhaver and Rachel Baugh. Ohlhaver was out with the flu, and Baugh has been sidelined with a knee sprain since the Irvine tournament Dec. 14.

Aliso Niguel (6-1-4) controlled most of the game, and outshot Newport Harbor, 8-2.

“I’m excited about this result even though we were a little outdone,” Draluck said. “We didn’t have Emily today, but that’s not an excuse. But for us, we have to learn how to get results because we don’t have all the self confidence of the top championship teams. Little by little, we’re developing a little bit of a swagger.”

Wolverines junior midfielder Charlotte Wisniewski scored in the 13th minute off an assist from Deol.

The Sailors didn’t answer until late in the second half, when senior Crystal Mena had a throw-in about 15 yards from the goal. Sophomore Melissa Hancock headed the ball into the net for the score in the 69th minute.

“She’s got no backbone,” Draluck said. “She’s got no vertebrae. It’s flexibility in her spinal column. She’s able to just whip that thing. I don’t know how she does it.”

The Wolverines had scoring opportunities as the clock wound down, but the shots were either misplaced or stopped by junior Newport Harbor goalkeeper Stephanie Castor. Four of Castor’s seven saves came in the second half.

“We didn’t execute as well as we should have,” Deol said. “I missed a couple of goals, and I know a couple of others did too. We have to put those things away if we want to beat teams in the future.”

Junior keeper Missy Rhoades had one save for the Wolverines.

This was the last preseason game for the Sailors, who will break for Christmas, then open Sunset League play against Esperanza Jan. 3.

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at soraya.mcdonald@latimes.com.