Battle of the Bay ends in a draw

COSTA MESA — Two rainouts earlier in the week pushed back the debut of Reed Williams and Brian Ford for Corona del Mar High.

The clouds behaved Friday, clearing away by the time it got dark.

Even if it had poured, nothing was stopping Williams and Ford from playing in the Battle of the Bay against Newport Harbor.

Across the pitch, the two saw the trophy given to the winner of this boys’ soccer rivalry match.

The prize stood on the Sailors’ sideline. A couple minutes into the match, players lifted the trophy off the turf and placed it next to them on the bench.

If it wanted, Newport Harbor made a strong case on the pitch for someone on the bench to store the trophy in one of the bags behind the bench.

For much of the match, the trophy and bragging rights looked like they belonged to the Sailors.

The Sailors left with the trophy, but no win to boast about.

Williams and Ford made sure of that.

Williams scored a goal and Ford shut down Newport Harbor’s attack late, helping CdM earn a 1-1 tie at Estancia High.

“You tie, you get to keep it,” Newport Harbor Coach Michael Ditta said with a smirk.

The first-year head coach got his first taste of the heated rivalry.

The Sailors (6-2-2) went home with bitter tastes in their mouths. If you look at the numerous scoring opportunities created throughout against CdM (1-3-2), this match was Newport Harbor’s to win.

Newport Harbor had five chances to build a big lead in the first half. Goal-scoring opportunities came in a variety of ways, off corner kicks, steals and precise passes, and each failed.

The Sailors’ goal in the 15th minute came on a penalty kick. CdM fouled striker Evan Walker in the box, setting up Innocente Tellez for his fifth goal of the season.

Tellez delivered a shot right at goalkeeper Zak Maurer-Erickson. He touched the ball with his gloves before letting it slip between his legs and into the back of the net.

CdM Coach Pat Callaghan said this wasn’t Maurer-Erickson’s strongest match.

“He lost his confidence,” Callaghan said.

Fortunately for Callaghan, he had his two big guns in Williams and Ford back after the two were away from CdM due to club commitments.

Midway through the first half, Maurer-Erickson misplayed a shot, leaving the net wide open for a few seconds.

Ford helped his keeper by kicking the ball out of danger before it crossed the goal line in the 37th minute.

On a defensive breakdown near Newport Harbor’s box, the junior striker evened things with a shot into the left corner of the net. Keeper Jose Hernandez stood no chance once he came out to defend the shot.

“We scrapped our way into a goal at the end of the first half and that allowed us to settle down,” said Callaghan, who believed his players “were a bit overhyped” at the start.

The Sea Kings were eager to get revenge after losing the Battle of the Bay, 2-1, last season in the 70th minute.

Referees handed out 11 cards in that match, nine for CdM and two for Newport Harbor. The referees allowed the two sides to compete this time around.

Ford and defenders Elliott Waniek and Alex Mainthow slowed down Newport Harbor’s attack by tugging a little bit.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Waniek was forced to do more than pull to keep the Sailors from going ahead.

Newport Harbor midfielder Dillan Freiberg’s throw-in deep in the box went behind Maurer-Erickson and toward the far post.

Two Sailors tried to close in on the easy goal, but Waniek booted the ball out.

Whenever the Sailors missed on a possible go-ahead goal, another opportunity followed.

With nine minutes left, striker William Muñoz almost put the match away for Newport Harbor.

The senior, being defended by Ford, controlled a pass coming from midfield with his chest.

Muñoz created space from Ford and quickly turned right. Outside the box, he blasted a beautiful ball off his right foot that curved left and hit the left post before going out of play.

Ditta couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve been hoping for him to finish those,” Ditta said. “It’s always disappointing when you’re missing chances.

“A tie is better than a loss.”

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