CdM remains perfect

CORONA DEL MAR — The Corona del Mar High boys’ soccer team might have swiped the Battle of the Bay trophy in record time.

Right when the final whistle blew to signal the end of the Sea Kings’ 2-0 win against rival Newport Harbor on Friday, Chris Burke got his hands on the trophy.

Burke lifted the prize from the Sailors’ sideline. While racing back toward the home crowd, Burke rang the trophy’s gold bell loudly, clearly sending a message.

The Sea Kings are unstoppable.

“Show us a team than can beat us,” said CdM striker Reed Williams because no team has in seven matches this season.

Even when the opposition stopped Williams from recording multiple goals for the first time, the Sea Kings controlled the action.

Six minutes in, Williams did all that damage he needed to in the afternoon with his foot for CdM, ranked No. 6 in the CIF Southern Section Division IV preseason coaches’ poll.

Kjell Wolker put away the second goal in the second half with his head. The junior scored his first goal of the season.

He has a long ways to go before catching Williams in the goals categories.

CdM would’ve improved to 7-0 with just Williams’ 17th goal of the season. Newport Harbor first-year coach Slavko Kljestan came away impressed with the UCLA-bound senior.

Kljestan knows talent, his son, Sacha, is a member of the U.S. national team and plays for Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA.

There are two reasons why Kljestan can’t wait until Williams graduates from CdM. First, he doesn’t want to coach against him in the Back Bay rivalry match next season. Second, Williams looks like a future pro in Kljestan’s eyes.

“Hopefully, he’s going to pick me as an agent when the time comes,” joked Kljestan, who played professionally in the former Yugoslavia.

Williams has a few years before entertaining the idea of having Kljestan represent him.

Williams right now is just enjoying his final high school season in which he’s exploiting defenses. Kljestan’s was the latest.

The Sailors (3-4-1), ranked No. 8 in Division I, didn’t help themselves early in the first half. A defender misplayed a long ball with Williams nearby. He tried to clear the ball with his head, but it bounced backward, falling to Williams’ feet.

The rest was history.

Williams dribbled toward the top of the box all alone and easily beat the vulnerable goalkeeper to his right side.

Williams appeared on his way to another big scoring day. A throng of fans showed up for it, hoping to see Williams go after his fifth hat trick.

At times, Tony Jovanelly and Austin Webster prevented the taller Williams to strike the ball into the back of the net. Once near the box, Jovanelly cleanly tackled Williams midway through the first half.

The Sailors managed to hold CdM to its lowest goal total of the season. The Sea Kings came into Friday averaging more than four goals per match.

Newport Harbor’s inability to counterattack and challenge goalkeeper Connor Gaal for the first 70 minutes took a toll on its defense. In the second half, the Sea Kings eventually wore down the visitors and took a two-goal lead.

On a corner kick, CdM’s Paul Zubatov sent a ball toward the far post, where Wolker leaped to finish the play with his head.

“That was the perfect corner,” said Wolker, who will try to help the Sea Kings remain perfect on the field.

Staying undefeated won’t be easy. The Sea Kings have time to rest before their next test.

Starting on Dec. 28, CdM will compete at the robust South Orange County Classic. Coach George Larsen expects the Sea Kings to be without standouts Jack McBean and Burke, who will be out of town.

The Sea Kings’ early success has already gotten the attention of El Toro Coach Ken Sjobom, one of the organizers of the four-day showcase held by his school and Mission Viejo.

“He moved us out of his bracket,” said Larsen of Sjobom, whose Chargers are the No. 1-ranked team in Division I. “A little sign of respect.”