Sailors fail to score, yet still collect point

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Though the Newport Harbor High boys’ soccer team never deposited a goal, it managed to take a dividend from its Sunset League game at Marina Wednesday.

A scoreless tie after 100 minutes of play, including two 10-minute overtime periods that barely beat the sunset, gave the Sailors (6-6-3, 0-3-1 in league) their first league point of the season.

Sailors Coach Mike Ditta said it also provided some encouragement he hopes will spur continued progress toward the team’s bid to make the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

“Our goal all along is to make the playoffs, so we’re one point closer,” said Ditta, whose team dominated play for most of the contest, posting a 17-9 advantage in shots. “I hope this can [give the team a little momentum with two home games coming up]. You want to win, but if you get a tie on the road, you can’t drop your heads too much.”

The Sailors used their heads, their feet and their hearts to pepper the net, as well as sophomore Marina goalkeeper Nick Marshall, who had nine saves.

The visitors saved their best scoring chance for last, as Marshall extended to punch away a ball that was inching toward the goal line to his left in the 97th minute.

The play started with a run down the right side by senior Innocente Tellez, who sent a cross beyond the far post that senior captain Evan Walker settled to his feet off his chest. Walker then punched a pass toward senior William Munoz, who was positioned in front of the net about eight yards out. Munoz, the leading catalyst all day for the Tars, got his head on the pass, directing it toward the right side of the cage. But there was not enough pace on it to beat a retreating Marshall to the ball, prompting a collective groan from players, parents and spectators on the Newport Harbor sideline.

Junior Dillan Freiberg, Evans, senior Joel Betonte, Tellez, and senior Ramiro Thomas also produced shots for the Sailors, who played their best game of the season, Ditta said.

“From start to finish, it was our best game,” Ditta said, “just the teamwork and the whole concept of playing together and not letting each other down.”

Freshman Caleb Candelaria and senior Scotty Figueroa added support at midfield for Newport Harbor, which received strong play on the back line from senior Joel Gonzalez, senior Derek Boler, senior Kevy Rodriguez and junior Rodrigo Ruvalcaba.

Junior Kyle Evans also anchored the defense in goal. His three saves included a difficult stop on a shot from close range in the 36th minute.

Junior Pedro Mendoza produced what Marina Coach Jeff Schofield said was the best scoring chance by either team. Mendoza received a cross from senior James D’Agostino, settled the ball about nine yards in front and blasted a low shot to Evans’ right. But the goalie reacted without hesitation, lunging to deflect the ball with both hands. He then scrambled to collect the rebound, which had rolled a few yards away.

“[Evans] made a good save on that one,” Schofield said.

It was the first time Marina (10-7-2, 1-2-1) had been blanked all season. The Vikings, who were averaging 2.6 goals in their last 10 games entering Wednesday, have scored fewer than two goals just four times this season.

Schofield also had praise for Munoz, who consistently won balls, and dribbled past defenders to stir things for the Sailors.

“He’s a very good player,” Schofield said of Munoz. “He was a handful, definitely.”

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.