Newport, CdM win, easily

Newport Harbor High’s second-seeded Sailors improved to 22-5 with a

12-2 win over visiting Esperanza Thursday in the first round of the

CIF Division II Playoffs.

The Sailors, paced by Anne Belden and Carolyn Conway, who each had

three goals, will duel Montebello, a 13-7 winner over Capistrano

Valley, in the second round on Saturday with the site and time to be

determined today.

The Sailors built an 11-1 halftime edge and coasted the rest of

the way.

Jenna Murphy scored twice and Alex Anderson, Paige Lansing, Raelyn

Ritchie and Ashling Taylor.

* Corona del Mar, meanwhile, blitzed visiting Loara in the first

round of the Division II Playoffs with a 12-0 run in the first

quarter with eight girls sharing the scoring in that span.

Amy Strack and Katie Kubas each scored three goals for Corona del

Mar and Danielle Carlson, Kelli Kline and Christina Hewko each scored

two goals.

The top-seeded Sea Kings, who improved to 23-5, will travel to El

Segundo for its second-round game Saturday. El Segundo advanced with

a 9-6 victory over Santa Ana Valley.

* Costa Mesa dropped a 5-4 CIF Division VI decision to host

Culver City, but very little of the luster covering the Mustangs was

disturbed after a very successful season.

Costa Mesa, one of three teams that shared the Golden West League

championship, fell behind, 5-3, in the third period. Sophomore

Allyson Harris scored before the quarter ended, but the teams went

scoreless after that. The Mustangs (14-9) had a few scoring chances

in the fourth period but could not convert.

Sophomore Sarah Bowman led the Mustangs with two goals, while

junior Jessica Steenhard added another. Qyen Nguyen recorded 10 saves

as Mesa’s goalie.

“For me being in my first year, I thought it was nice to have

girls that worked hard,” Coach Tim Postiff said. “They were

tri-league champs and made it to the playoffs, and I don’t think

anyone expected us to make that far, period. I’m excited about next

year with the girls who are returning.”