Newport looking to blend pieces together

Bryce Alderton

First-year head coach Brandie Hayungs, above all else, wants the

Newport Harbor High girls soccer team to be more about “team” and

less about “individuals” as the new season dawns.

The three-year assistant to former coach Jason Sorrell inherits

nine returners from a team that went 5-10-7, 3-4-3 in the Sea View

League, and failed to make the CIF Southern Section Division I

playoffs last season after reaching the Division II quarterfinals the

prior year.

“We’ve always had strong individual players, but at certain

points, we have been unable to bring together all those stars as a

team,” said Hayungs, a star defender on two NCAA Division III

championship teams at UC San Diego.

The Sailors’ strength figures to be on defense, Hayungs said, as

evidenced by junior returners Erin Hardy and Tayler Giacomaro along

with sophomore Stephanie Lambrakis. Giacomaro earned first-team

all-league laurels last season while Hardy garnered second-team

recognition.

Newport lost defender Taryn Flamson along with forwards Amy

Burlingham and Kate Younglove to graduation. Burlingham, a two-time

Parade All-American, continues her career at the University of Texas.

Senior Kara DeMille returns as one of Newport’s goalkeepers with

freshman Mary Giberson ready to fill in.

Junior forward Jenny Taylor will be one Hayungs will count on to

lead the offense in the absence of sophomore center midfielder Amy

Klippert, who broke her shin in a soccer tournament a week before the

season began. Klippert will most likely miss the entire season,

Hayungs said.

Taylor missed most of last season with an ankle injury.

“She is strong, quick and a goal scorer,” Hayungs said of Taylor.

Senior Barbara Julian provides additional strength along the front

lines.

Junior Reese Simmons should provide consistency at the midfield

for a team that prides itself on balance.

“I don’t foresee any statistical standouts, just solid players

that hold a team together and do what they need to do,” Hayungs said.

Seniors Jenelle Arnold, Dana Owad, Hayley Miller, Robin Senour and

Stacy Allee join junior Julia Bernay, sophomores Krystal Wright,

Jackie Taylor and Heather Stevenson, along with freshman Erica Weedn,

as the Sailors (0-2) begin a difficult nonleague stretch to begin the

season.

“I look at the preseason as practice and preparation for league,”

Hayungs said. “These games are tough for us, but that sets the

standard high and allows us to work toward the level we want to be

at.”