GIRLS’ SOCCER PREVIEWS:Sailors ready to elevate

Josh Brooks doesn’t set goals like a first-year coach.

Brooks enters his inaugural season as the head of the Newport Harbor High girls’ soccer team with the school moving to a new league, the Sunset, and a jump up in level of competition, from CIF Southern Section Division II to Division I.

Still, Brooks has lofty goals for his Sailors team, which finished just shy of the playoffs with a 4-4-2 record in its former league, the Sea View.

“I’d be lying to you if I said I was happy to go first round and out,” said Brooks, who has coached for 15 years, most recently for six years as the boys’ soccer coach at Villa Park.

His final two years at Villa Park he also coached the girls’ team.

“To go out in the first or second round would be a disappointment,” he said. “We want to go to the semifinals or final. This is the right group of girls to do it.”

Brooks said it will be a tough road with traditional soccer powers Los Alamitos and Esperanza as well as Fountain Valley and Edison inhabiting the Sunset League.

“Division I will be a good challenge for them,” Brooks said. “It’s definitely going to be a good test. But high school soccer is high school soccer. If girls go out with the right attitude we can shock some people. The two biggest killers are newspaper press and egos. If the girls stay grounded, they’ll be successful.”

The Sailors have already gotten the season off to a positive start winning the inaugural Newport-Mesa Cup, defeating Estancia, Costa Mesa and then Back Bay rival Corona del Mar in the championship game.

The Sailors are keyed by club-team players. Newport Harbor features a rare trio of juniors on its team. Defender Crystal Mena, defender Rachel Baugh and midfielder-forward Emily Ohlhaver all play for the same club team.

“That’s a great combination,” Brooks said. “Crystal is a very versatile player. Typically she plays outside backer.”

Senior forward Alexis Conley brings a combination of power and speed to the Sailors’ attack.

“She’s a strong, strong, strong player,” Brooks said. “She plays like a guy. She has a crazy, insane amount of speed when she tracks down a ball.”

Senior Mary Giberson returns as the team’s goalkeeper.

Brooks said senior defenders Phobe Cox and Arielle Rockwell took positions in the starting lineup through effort and determination.

“They really stepped up their play and earned starting spots,” Brooks said. “Arielle, she throws tackles and she works really hard. They’re phenomenal. I wish 80% of the team worked as hard as they do.”

Freshmen midfielder-forwards Gillan Hogan, who has two goals including the game-winner over Costa Mesa, and Leslie Drewry are also newcomers to the starting line up.

“Leslie has amazing speed and she’s naturally left-footed,” Brooks said. “She’s able to get things done for us. She has a lot to learn, but a lot of talent.”

Sophomore Kayla Henrie will also start in the midfield.

“She’s tall and lanky,” Brooks said. “She has a decent amount of speed and great vision.”

Sophomore Christina O’Tousa can play defender or forward, but will start in the midfield. O’Tousa has two goals and two assists in three games.

Junior defender Carly Ruiz, who is 6-foot, brings added club experience to the team.

“She’s big, strong and talented on the ball,” said Brooks of Ruiz who has been limited by a concussion and sprained knee, but has been cleared to play.

Sophomore Lauren Devoy gives the Sailors versatility.