Harbor likes the view after 5-0 victory

COSTA MESA ? In its first game of the Daily Pilot Cup, the Harbor View Elementary fifth- and sixth-grade boys’ Gold team did not know what to expect of itself.

The majority of practice, up to three-quarters of the time, was spent on conditioning. With the running over and the time to demonstrate playing skills at hand, it was a toss up as to how the team would perform.

But with three club soccer players and numerous others with organized soccer experience, it did not take long for Harbor View to run away with a 5-0 win over Newport Heights on Wednesday at the Farm Sports Complex.

After four first half goals, Harbor View focused on ball possession.

“We passed a lot today,” midfielder Tyler Maloney said.

Harbor View demonstrated crisp passing on the way to building a large lead. Grady Howe dribbled down the sideline, then cut in and centered a pass that Reid Chase headed in for a 1-0 lead.

“I was kind of trying to get it to Connor [Morrill],” Howe said. “I like dribbling by a bunch of people. That’s the best way to score. I like scoring and assisting.”

Shortly thereafter, Howe used his dribbling skills to penetrate the defense once again and center a pass that forward Grant Hodgkins headed in for a 2-0 lead.

Morrill added a third goal when he crisscrossed through the defense before poking in the ball.

Howe added the final goal of the first half, blasting a shot through the hands of the goalkeeper, before adding another goal in the second half.

“We worked as a team,” Howe said. “We build a lot of stamina at practice. We run all of the time.”

Harbor View goalkeeper Nathan Brown played the first half and made two saves.

“I liked the headers,” Brown said. “I liked how Grant scored with a diving header. I like playing and taking shots on goal, but I also like saving penalty kicks. When they move their hips, it shows where they’re going.”

There weren’t any big saves for Brown to make Tuesday, but he predicted there could be in the days ahead. Kris Picarelli played goalkeeper in the second half.

Sweeper Drew Blumenthal said the difference in the game was Harbor View’s conditioning and passing.

“We worked as a team and we passed well,” Blumenthal said. “We have good players and we have good control. Most of our practice is running for a long time.”

Forward Matt McCoy contributed to the strong offensive out put for Harbor View. Andrew Nemnich helped preserve the shut out.

“I was proud of them,” Harbor View Coach Geoff Maloney said. “Our movement of the ball is what wore them out.”

Jesse Torres, Cody Lippman, Thomas Hunt, Saxon Sauter-Schultz and Hollin Alhard played well on defense for Newport Heights. Chase Kapana, Jose Puentes, Griff Amies, Emmanuel Jogwe, Kevin Rakestraw, Riley Robinson and Matthew Searcy led an offensive attack for Newport Heights.dpt.01-dpcup-4-dl-CPhotoInfoSS1RHKUL20060601j05t5fncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Harbor View’s Connor Morrill boots the ball into the goal during the first half of Wednesday’s Daily Pilot Cup showdown against Newport Heights at The Farm.