If it wanted, Newport Harbor made a strong case on the pitch for someone on the bench to store the trophy in one of the bags behind the bench.
For much of the match, the trophy and bragging rights looked like they belonged to the Sailors.
The Sailors left with the trophy, but no win to boast about.
Williams and Ford made sure of that.
Williams scored a goal and Ford shut down Newport Harbor’s attack late, helping CdM earn a 1-1 tie at Estancia High.
“You tie, you get to keep it,” Newport Harbor Coach Michael Ditta said with a smirk.
The first-year head coach got his first taste of the heated rivalry.
The Sailors (6-2-2) went home with bitter tastes in their mouths. If you look at the numerous scoring opportunities created throughout against CdM (1-3-2), this match was Newport Harbor’s to win.
Newport Harbor had five chances to build a big lead in the first half. Goal-scoring opportunities came in a variety of ways, off corner kicks, steals and precise passes, and each failed.
The Sailors’ goal in the 15th minute came on a penalty kick. CdM fouled striker Evan Walker in the box, setting up Innocente Tellez for his fifth goal of the season.
Tellez delivered a shot right at goalkeeper Zak Maurer-Erickson. He touched the ball with his gloves before letting it slip between his legs and into the back of the net.
CdM Coach Pat Callaghan said this wasn’t Maurer-Erickson’s strongest match.
“He lost his confidence,” Callaghan said.
Fortunately for Callaghan, he had his two big guns in Williams and Ford back after the two were away from CdM due to club commitments.
Midway through the first half, Maurer-Erickson misplayed a shot, leaving the net wide open for a few seconds.
Ford helped his keeper by kicking the ball out of danger before it crossed the goal line in the 37th minute.
