CdM’s opener sweet

NEWPORT COAST — This isn’t usually the time these two Back Bay rivals play.

But there was the Corona del Mar High boys’ lacrosse team ready to shake those nerves in its season opener. And Newport Harbor was the perfect team to do it against Wednesday night.

Attacker Mike Kidushim delivered some dazzling shots in the first three quarters for the Sea Kings, but it was his hit on a Newport Harbor player early in the fourth that told the story of the Battle of the Bay.

With his team on its way to a 15-6 victory at Sage Hill School, Kidushim unloaded on the player, flattening him near the sideline, a sign that the Sea Kings were the superior and aggressive team.

“I think they just kind of knew we were a better team and [they] just kind of were playing timid,” said Kidushim, who led CdM with four goals. “It is kind of nice [to play the Sailors now] because usually we played them at the end of the season and it’s like kind of like a burden, so it’s kind of a relief to get them out of the way.”

The Sea Kings shoved aside the Sailors from the start, taking a 5-0 lead after the first 12 minutes.

Newport Harbor already had played one game, beating Servite, 11-2, to open the season. But it was the Sailors playing nervously. They struggled to manufacture much offensively. They were busy in their own end trying to stop Kidushim from overpowering his way through the defense.

Kidushim scored twice in the opening quarter and by halftime he recorded four goals. It took the senior just six shots to do so, a remarkable hot hand. The only times Kidushim was slowed down was because of a referee.

Before the second quarter began, one of two referees examined Kidushim’s stick. The ref walked over to the scorer’s table and told Kidushim that his pocket was too deep. Kidushim looked shocked and he was given a one-minute penalty, forcing him to sit out while Newport Harbor was on the one-man advantage.

Soon after, the Sailors got on the scoreboard for the first time.

Cory Ames scored the first of his two goals at the 10:41 mark.

But CdM kept the pressure on, as Dave Kidushim (three goals), Ryan Mix (two), Connor Pinkston (two) and Otis Mitchell (two) took advantage of Newport Harbor focusing on trying to contain Mike Kidushim.

The Sea Kings just had too much talent, helping them blow out Newport Harbor for the second straight year.

“CdM is great,” said Newport Harbor Coach Chad Donnelly, whose team lost to CdM, 13-4, last season. “They have some incredible depth, great size, speed, and they’re well coached.

“Foothill and CdM are the two teams to beat [in Orange County].”

The Sea Kings showed why they’re slated to be a power again.

Mike Kidushim wasn’t shy of displaying it in the fourth, when he leveled the Newport Harbor player. He was called for an illegal check, but if you asked CdM midfielder Noah Molnar, that hit was legit.

“I don’t know what the ref saw about that one,” Molnar said. “It was a good, clean hit.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.