​​ Written By: Lea Ozdere and Kenia Trujillo

The Newport Harbor Girls’ Varsity team has been doing an amazing job representing our school, winning almost every game in their 2017 season. They continued their success during Battle of the Bay on last Friday, March 24th, winning against Corona Del Mar and simultaneously initiating a turning point for the Harbor Girls’ Lacrosse team. It was the first game in three years that the Varsity girls beat CDM in Battle of the Bay, and with a score of 9-7. This has not only showed that the girls have improved over the years of practice, but also that CDM is not undefeated as they had claimed to be, and Harbor might be making a comeback.

They began their game the same as any other sport begins; both teams warming up on their own side. Then, they huddled in a team circle, yelling and chanting at one another to encourage and pump each other up for the big game. The first half began with a draw between a CDM player and Katie Hendrix, #4, and possession was won by Newport Harbor. Newport started off the game strong with a shot made by Katie Hendrix, #4, within the first 5 minutes. Soon, the score is 2-1, then, CDM made their first shot with only 10 minutes left in the 25 minute half. Between many turnovers, Hendrix scored two more consecutive goals to be followed up by a shot from CDM. The first half ended with Newport in the lead, 5-2, leaving the fans and players roaring from their performance.

In the second half, Harbor was determined to finish what they had started. Newport once again scored in the first five minutes, with the goal made by Sarah Farley, #7. There was 20 minutes left in the game with 6-2 on the scoreboard until CDM scored two consecutive goals making the score gap smaller. The only freshman on Varsity, Caroline Farley,#20, scored a shot over the heads of CDM defenders and into the back of the net. CDM then scored another goal making the score 7-5. With determination to stay in the lead, Katie Hendrix, #4, drove to the goal and went for a difficult angle shot, but caused her to fall over a CDM defender, leaving the crowd silent with worry. After a minute of comfort from her teammates, Hendrix stood up and continued to play with the cheers from the fans on the sidelines. CDM once again made a shot leaving the scores too close for comfort with 5 minutes left of the game. At 3 minutes and 52 seconds left, CDM scored their 7th goal, leaving Newport only 1 point ahead. The clock was counting down the last few minutes of the game, the intensity was rising, both Newport Harbor and CDM were giving their all, when our own Sarah Farley, #7, scored the last goal of the game with only 1 minute left, making the final score 9-7. Newport Harbor came out victorious in the Battle of the Bay against Corona Del Mar high school for the first time in three years.
This astonishing win has set a new-found confidence and determination within the Varsity girls, persuading them to continue their hard work and return to the field next year with another win against CDM. Not only for Battle of the Bay, but the girls will fight on throughout all their games, hopefully making it to the CIF championship and bringing the crown home. No matter what happens however, we are extremely proud of the effort and work each of these girls have put into their games and practices, portraying our school in the most positive way. Way to go Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse!