Congratulations to Newport Harbor Varsity Field Hockey for the win on Tuesday against Glendora. The team advances to the semi-finals on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at Harvard Westlake. Bus departs at 2:15 p.m. from NHHS. JV and Frosh/Soph players are invited to join on the bus to attend the game but must let Coach Amanda know. Go Newport!
**Schedule for next week: Monday, 10/31 will be Banquet Video Day, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with location TBA and Wednesday, 11/2 will be Uniform Turn In and Program Day, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at Harper. More info to come.
Sailors advance to semis
When it comes to the high school field hockey postseason event known as the Tournament of Champions, Newport Harbor’s success has been a final-four-gone conclusion.
For the 13th time in 17 seasons, the Sailors will compete in the Tournament of Champions semifinals after defeating visiting Glendora, 3-1, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at Huntington Beach High.
Coach Amanda Boyer’s Sunset League runners-up improved to 16-1-4 by topping the Tartans (8-6-1), who played the Sailors to a 1-1 draw in a nonleague game Aug. 30 at Glendora.
The Sailors, who have lost in the semifinals the last three seasons — after having won their previous nine semifinal contests — will venture to Studio City to meet Harvard-Westlake on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Newport Harbor, T of C champions in 2003 and 2008 through 2011, defeated the Wolverines, 1-0, on Sept. 6 at Huntington Beach High. The turf field at Huntington Beach served as the Sailors’ home away from home this season, with the Newport Harbor High football stadium undergoing renovation.
Newport Harbor senior tri-captain Mollie Crooks scored the first two goals for the Tars on Tuesday after coming off the bench about 10 minutes into the 30-minute first half.
“It was kind of hard to just go on [the field], because it was so cold, I had to warm up and get my head into it,” said Crooks, who opened the scoring in the 16th minute and doubled the lead in the 42nd minute.
Glendora cut the deficit in half in the 43rd minute, but Newport Harbor senior tri-captain Jackie Singer pushed in a loose ball in front to generate some breathing room for the Tars with 13:15 remaining in the game.
Crooks’ first goal came with an assist by senior forward Mckenzie Porteous, who passed to Crooks in front of the left post about five yards out.
Crooks’ second goal came by virtue of her own perseverance, as she followed her shot and stuffed in the rebound from point-blank range.
The Sailors posted a 13-2 shot advantage, as senior defenders Katie Hendrix and Hayden Allen, junior Rylee Warmington, and sophomore Delaney Knipp, kept the determined Glendora attackers at bay.
Junior goalie Sarah Sheldon made two saves, including a glove save high over her head that drew screams of approval from her teammates on the bench with 6:03 left.
“I was very pleased with [the Sailors’] play and I’m excited to see them advance,” Boyer said. “I thought we played well offensively and defensively.”
Senior tri-captain Georgia Yokoyama, senior forwards Kendall Machado, Bridget Nolan and Katie Robinson, as well as sophomore Chloe Bagiu and junior Sam Kerrigan, also helped Newport Harbor control possession most of the game.
Huntington Beach plays host to Edison in the other semifinal on Thursday.
The title game is scheduled Saturday at 1 p.m. at Westminster High, following the third-place game at 11 a.m.