Boys soccer Meek scores three for Sailors

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - With the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs

approaching, Newport Harbor High’s boys soccer team wanted some momentum

going in and momentum was found in Friday’s 4-2 Sea View League win

against always-fiesty Aliso Niguel.

Coach Matt West had the correct adjective to describe the performance of

junior Trey Meek, whose three goals led the way.

“Unstoppable,” West said. “He really busted out of his shell today. He

let it be known that he’s arrived and he’s ready for the playoffs.”

It was his first three-goal game for Meek, giving him seven goals for the

season.

Not to be outdone, sophomore Kevin Campos contributed with three assists

for the Sailors (7-7-5, 3-1-4 in league), who finished third in the Sea

View League behind champion Irvine and runner-up Woodbridge.

“We’re really gonna try and carry this momentum in to the postseason,”

West said. “We felt all year that we had something special and we do.”

Newport overcame deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 in the game, scoring the final

three goals to pull it out.

Aliso scored its first goal of the game on a penalty kick by Brock

Schermerhorn in the 23rd minute.

The Wolverines continued to put pressure on the Sailors and had three

straight corner kicks, but could not find the back of the net.

Junior Juan Gonzalez, who helped goalkeeper Duke Burchell cover the far

goal post, kept Aliso off the scoreboard by kicking a would-be goal out

of the area.

Five minutes after Aliso’s goal, Newport evened the score off a give and

go pass from Meek to Campos, then back to Meek, who buried the shot in

the lower right corner of the goal.

“Trey’s biggest strength is that he’s so elusive,” West said. “His

quickness allows him to do so many things.”

Burchell had four saves in the first half, three coming on a swarming

attack from the Wolverines in the final minutes. After a couple

point-blank saves, he managed to control the ball and keep Aliso from

taking the lead.

The Wolverines regained the lead, 2-1, three minutes into the second

half, when Nick Spangenberg’s header off a free kick from Schermerhorn

found its way into the net.

That lead was short-lived, however, as Meek tied the game in the 47th

minute and then broke the tie two minutes later, giving Newport the lead

for good.

Both goals were assisted by Campos. “I told Brian at the beginning of the

game that we were gonna need something special from him today.” West

said. “Obviously, he something special happened.”

Sophomore reserve goalkeeper Christian Peterson had three saves in the

second half for Newport, including a tough save off a turnover.

Senior Jimmy Sanders added an insurance goal in the 76th minute off of

Campos’ third assist.

Strong defensive play was turned in by Juan Gonzalez, who filled in at

sweeper for the injured Ryan Hernandez, Victor Castillo and Springer

Brown.

Newport’s playoff fate now is in the hands of the CIF Southern Section

Committee. The Sailors, who haven’t reached the playoffs since 1997, will

find out their playoff whereabouts Monday afternoon. The first round

begins Friday at 3:15 p.m.

“Once you get invited to the dance, anything can happen,” West said. “Our

health and moraleis as good as it can be. We’ll be ready to go.”