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Orange Lutheran’s girls soccer team has scored eight goals in two playoff matches after netting two in its final five Trinity League games. Newport Harbor has allowed only one goal in two postseason showdowns.
Yes, a rising attack will encounter an organized defense Wednesday when Orange Lutheran plays host to Newport Harbor in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals at 5 p.m.
“Stopping their ability to create chances will be a focus,” Newport Harbor coach Justin Schroeder said of facing Orange Lutheran. “We play a pretty tough nonleague and league schedule so there’s not much we haven’t seen yet. We are ready and battled-tested.”
Newport Harbor (15-5-4), ninth in the final Orange County rankings, has defeated Chaminade 2-1 and Moorpark 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals after placing third in the Sunset League.
The Sailors’ backline has consisted of juniors Leah Showalter, Maddie Michel and Caroline Harner. Aliyah Chappell, also a junior, plays keeper.
Newport Harbor’s offense, meanwhile, has received goals from senior Liliana Ure, freshman Cassandra Jacoby and junior Mia Knox.
Orange Lutheran (5-2-8), eighth in the final O.C. rankings, has handled Chino Hills 4-1 and San Juan Hills 4-0 after finishing fourth in the Trinity League.
Sophomore Karis Buehler has scored twice for the Lancers in the playoffs while Sofia Wolff, Ava Harrison, Charlotte Kamansky, Paityn Miller, Claire Brakefield and Ainsley Borning have each netted one goal.
Orange Lutheran went 0-1-5 in the Trinity League, which produced Open Division qualifiers Santa Margarita, Mater Dei and JSerra.
“Playing Trinity definitely prepared us for the playoffs and raised our level,” Orange Lutheran coach Luis Segovia said. “Newport Harbor is going to be very tough to break down. They’re a well-coached team, organized defensively and disciplined in their shape.”
NOTES
Rosary (14-6-1) will play in the quarterfinals for the first time when it faces top-seeded Westlake (14-2-1) in Division 1 on Wednesday at Cal Lutheran at 7 p.m.
In the first round, Rosary edged Thousand Oaks in penalty kicks behind goalie Leanna Gimenez. The junior scored the winning goal in the second round of penalty kicks and made three saves in shootouts.
Rosary’s Amaya Faison helped force overtime by scoring a goal for 1-1 tie after regulation. The senior also scored in a 2-1 win against Great Oak in the second round. …
In Division 4, Laguna Hills (15-2-2) and veteran coach Kevin Macare will appear in their first quarterfinal since 2015 when they play Immaculate Heart (12-4-7) at Glendale Community College on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Macare, in his second tenure with the Hawks, started coaching the team in 1990-91. …
In Division 5, Anaheim’s Isabella Sanabria has scored two postseason goals to help the Colonists (12-6-2) reach the quarterfinals against visiting Artesia (18-1-5) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The sophomore has 18 goals. …
Also in Division 5, junior Ally Cohan is among the players who has helped Kennedy (10-9-3) reach Wednesday’s quarterfinal at Sultana (18-10-1). The Fighting Irish have advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019. …
In Division 6, Segerstom freshman Aymar Salgado scored once against Palmdale and Riverside Prep to help send the Jaguars (12-2-6) to Wednesday’s quarterfinal at Arroyo Valley (16-5-1). Sophomore Jewel Orellana leads Segerstrom with 13 goals. …
Also in Division 6, Ocean View senior Marisa Vo has netted three goals in the playoffs to help power the Seahawks (11-6-3) into Wednesday’s quarterfinal against visiting Adelanto (14-6-2) at 5 p.m. Vo leads Ocean View with 15 goals.