Sailors even the score

Robertson nets tying and winning goals for Newport Harbor in Holiday Cup final, avenging earlier loss.NEWPORT BEACH -- Newport Harbor’s Leah Robertson fired a backhand shot as she slipped beneath the water’s surface, with the help of two Corona del Mar defenders.

When she emerged from under the water, the fans were cheering and her teammates were swimming back to their spots on defense -- a good indication that she had scored the tying goal with 3:30 left in the game.

Soon after that, she added the game-winner as the Sailors defeated the Sea Kings, 4-3, and captured the Holiday Cup title at Newport Harbor High on Friday.

“I had no idea I scored,” Robertson said. “I came up and heard the screaming and then I knew it was good.”

Robertson took a pass at two meters and didn’t see an opening on her right side. It didn’t look like she’d get a shot off. But while being tugged under the water, she unleashed a quick backhand that hit pay dirt.

“They over-pursued me on one side, so I backhanded it,” Robertson said.

Soon after, Corona del Mar’s Tumua Anae made a big save on a Sailors’ shot on the power play, but Robertson snatched the rebound and scored. The goal gave her team the 4-3 lead, which stood up in the last two minutes of the game.

Newport Harbor’s victory avenged its 7-6 overtime loss against Corona del Mar Dec. 21 in the same pool.

“It feels so nice,” Robertson said. “It was our time for redemption and we took it to them.”

Corona del Mar Coach Aaron Chaney called two timeouts in the last 28 seconds to set up plays, but to no avail. With six seconds left in regulation time, the Sea Kings went on the power play, but Katie Indvik’s shot was deflected wide by goalkeeper Elizabeth Layton and Newport Harbor emerged with the victory.

“Our defense was good -- better than the last time we played them,” Robertson said. “And we were more patient on offense.”

Newport Harbor (7-1) took a 2-0 lead early on goals by Kally Lucas and Robertson. Lucas scored on a penalty shot to open the scoring in the first quarter. Robertson scored from outside on the power play with 3:19 left in the first half.

Corona del Mar (7-1) went on a 3-0 run that started with Ashley Chandler’s power play goal with 2:48 left in the second quarter and concluded with Indvik’s goal on a penalty shot with 2:34 left in the third quarter.

Layton turned back the rest of Corona del Mar’s chances, then Robertson took over.

“We played the right mixture of pressing and dropping on Camille [Hewko],” Newport Harbor Coach Bill Barnett said. “And Layton stepped up.”

Get the feeling it’s going to be a one-goal game any time these two teams meet?

“Absolutely,” Barnett said. “It always has been.”

Despite the loss, Corona del Mar achieved one of its season goals when it defeated Foothill (ranked No. 1 in Division I) in the semifinals, 5-4. Cari Levine scored the game-winner with 1:12 left in regulation time. It marked the first time Corona del Mar (ranked No. 1 in Division II) has ever beaten Foothill.

Newport Harbor (No. 2 in Division I) defeated Santa Margarita (No. 3 in Division I), 8-4, in the other semifinal.

Holiday Cup

Championship

Newport Harbor 4,

Corona del Mar 3

Score by Quarters