You Won't Believe What Newport Harbor Girls' Soccer Just Achieved—This Historic Season Could Change Everything!

LONG BEACH — In a gripping clash for the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship, the Newport Harbor High girls’ soccer team faced off against Eastvale Roosevelt at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. While Newport Harbor, boasting a junior-heavy roster, was making its first appearance in a CIF title match, Roosevelt was aiming for its second Division 1 championship in three years. The pressure was palpable as Newport Harbor relentlessly attacked the Roosevelt defense, creating a flurry of corner kicks and scoring opportunities throughout the match.

As any seasoned sports fan knows, in high school soccer, the most dominant team doesn’t always emerge victorious. This was certainly the case on Saturday. Just ten minutes into the game, Roosevelt sophomore Harsha Subramanian capitalized on a defensive miscue, scoring the lone goal that would secure a 1-0 victory for the Mustangs.

“I think all of us should be really proud of ourselves,” said Newport Harbor junior Mia Knox, who was a constant threat in the midfield. “We worked really hard. It sucks, but I just want everyone to feel proud. We worked so hard, and I thought we had them.”

Despite the heartbreak, Newport Harbor's season is far from over. With a record of 17-5-4, the Sailors are the top seed in the CIF Southern California Regional playoffs and will host No. 8 Westview on Tuesday at 7 p.m. This match will precede another regional game featuring the Newport Harbor boys' team, the No. 2 seed in the Division III bracket, hosting No. 7 Mt. Carmel at 4:30 p.m. Regional semifinals are set for Thursday, with finals scheduled for Saturday. The state championship match will take place on March 13.

The goal that defined the championship match for Newport Harbor came from a defensive mistake. A back pass from a Sailors defender to junior goalkeeper Aliyah Chappell was played too softly, allowing Subramanian to swoop in. Chappell described the moment, saying, “As soon as I got the ball, I was a bit indecisive on where I was going to put it. I didn’t know if I was going to go long or if I was going to go short. I decided to take a touch, and I had her, and then I took one more touch and then she took it from me.”

This was particularly challenging for Chappell, who had recently taken over as starting goalkeeper after Cooper Dick graduated midseason. The goal was only the second allowed by Newport Harbor during the postseason, marking a pivotal moment for a team that had been undefeated until then.

In the aftermath of the goal, Newport Harbor dominated possession, yet Roosevelt’s defense, led by senior goalkeeper Giulianna Vargas and center back Avery Mendez, proved impenetrable. Coach Justin Schroeder encapsulated the sentiment of the match, stating, “It’s a bummer. You just feel like you’re walking off as the better team, but not with the result. That’s a tough pill to swallow if you’ve coached soccer long enough, because it always happens that way.”

The Sailors’ best opportunity came late in the first half when a cross from Abigail Van Exel found freshman Cassie Jacoby, but her shot was partially blocked by Vargas, who made a critical save to keep her team ahead. “You’ve got to respect the keeper,” Knox remarked. “Stuff is going to happen. I think [Jacoby] made an incredible run. That was our chance, but I respect the goalie. That was a great save.”

Roosevelt, now at 19-4-6, managed to maintain its lead despite losing its all-time leading scorer, Ireland Churchill, to graduation. Looking forward, Newport Harbor’s prospects appear promising, with only two seniors — midfielder Carys De Vengoechea and forward Lily Ure — receiving significant playing time, while the roster includes 14 juniors. “I think we’re going to be solid,” Knox said, a UC Irvine commit. “To be honest, a lot of us came into [the season] with a lot of doubt, but we worked really hard and earned that respect for ourselves.”

As Newport Harbor prepares for its upcoming regional matches, the lessons learned on Saturday will undoubtedly fuel their drive. The disappointment of a near victory can be transformative, often leading to greater resilience in the face of future challenges. The Sailors are determined to turn the page and make a strong showing in the playoffs as they embark on this new chapter.