Dominick Crane’s late goal sends Newport Harbor boys’ soccer over Laguna Beach
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Childhood sports dreams have a familiar ring to them.
It’s the bottom of the ninth inning, or the final possession, or the last minute of play. Regardless of the sport, the scenario has kids everywhere envisioning themselves with a chance to win a close game late.
That situation turned up on Friday night at Davidson Field. The Newport Harbor High boys’ soccer team was headed toward a potential draw against Laguna Beach.
A late counterattack by the host Sailors provided a more exciting conclusion for the home fans.
Dominick Crane scored in the 80th minute, and Newport Harbor rallied in the second half of a Sunset Conference crossover match for a 2-1 victory.
The junior forward said that he is not one to look at the clock, but he had a rough idea of how much time was left when he headed up the middle of the field. Senior captain Jack Starnes played the ball in from the right side, and Crane delivered the go-ahead strike.
“It was really a dream, in a way,” Crane said. “I used to always imagine myself scoring in the last minute. We’re tied. It’s a really good game. I always pictured myself [in that situation], and it never happens.
“It was really unexpected, but it was one I won’t l forget. The excitement that happened — seeing the fans being happy, making my team happy — that’s what I look forward to.”
Newport Harbor (7-1) had been outshot 8-2 in the first half, managing just one shot on goal. The Sailors played more connected in the second half, using the wings to create scoring opportunities.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Sailors tied the score in the 49th minute. Senior left back Alex Beaver found freshman forward Anthony Vasquez. He dribbled the ball into the left corner, then worked a ball back into the box.
Yamil Razo found himself on the other end of the pass, and a flick with the outside of his foot acted like a sand-wedge shot. It floated over Breakers goalkeeper Shane Lawson (four saves) and into the right side of the net.
“It was a great play,” Razo said of Vasquez’s playmaking effort. “I’m surprised that I even got the touch. It was unexpected. Great pass by Anthony. He is one of the youngest here, and he shows that he deserves to be on varsity.
“With that play, he clearly deserves a spot in the upcoming years.”
Sailors coach Ignacio Cid felt that with Sunset Conference play getting underway, upperclassmen like senior center back Jimmy Castillo and Starnes provided the inspirational leadership that the team needs to see going forward.
“This is their last go-around in the Sunset, and I appreciated their reaction going into the second half,” said Cid, whose team will travel to take on Fountain Valley (2-6-1) on Wednesday. “I thought the older players’ reaction to improve in the second half gave the spark to the younger players. I thought that some of the younger players played a big role in some of the goals.”
Laguna Beach (4-5-1) got on the board first with a goal in the 22nd minute. It came on the Breakers’ sixth shot attempt, demonstrating the activity level of the Laguna Beach offense early on.
Booker Frith played a ball through to Raffy Ortiz-Marquez, who dribbled around a Newport Harbor defender to leave only goalkeeper Briant Alvarez (three saves) to beat. He tucked his shot inside the left post.
Laguna Beach returns to the pitch on Wednesday with a home match against Edison (9-1-2).
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