Field hockey: A cool day for Wittman

Steve Virgen

WESTMINSTER - Newport Harbor High sophomore Amanda Wittman is all

about making the most of her opportunities for the Sailors field hockey

team. Monday, another display of Carpe Diem came from Wittman, a goalie

who ventured into the field in the second half of Newport’s 7-0 Sunset

League victory at Westminster.

She scored the first goal of the second half to give the Sailors a 5-0

lead, perhaps a reward for her outstanding performance Saturday, when

Newport tied Marina, 0-0, in the Orange County Invitational.

“(The goal) was really cool,” said Wittman, who recorded nine saves

against Marina, the team that defeated the Sailors, 4-0, to begin the

season. “That was my first time ever playing in the field and my first

goal. That was really fun. In a game like this, when I didn’t have to

work too hard in goal, I went up (to the field) and had some fun.”

Wittman, who broke her right leg in club soccer last season, had an

easy first half, as the Lions never threatened and her teammates built a

4-0 lead.

Less than five minutes into the game, junior Kirsten Chamberlain began

the Sailors’ scoring run. Two minutes later, junior Kaley Nix scored the

first of her three goals, all in the first half, as Newport continued to

attack the Lions’ cage with consistent threats.

Newport outshot Westminster, 32-0, and the Sailors earned 19 penalty

corners to the Lions’ none.

Newport junior Caitlin Farrell fed a pass to give Nix her second goal,

and with less than five minutes in the half, Nix completed the hat trick.

Coaches from both teams agreed to cut the game short from 60 minutes

to 45, because of the heat, the mismatch and because Westminster’s girls

had to play three games. The Lions are short in numbers and some of the

Westminster players competed in the varsity, junior varsity and

frosh/soph contests Monday.

The first half lasted 25 minutes, while the second half went 20.

During halftime, Wittman quickly changed out of her goalie gear and

exchanged jerseys and positions with Jill Whitfield.

“This was a nice opportunity for (Wittman) to play the field,” said

Newport Coach Sharon Wolfe, who was impressed with Wittman’s performance

against Marina. “She made a big difference for us. She really went after

it.”

After Wittman’s goal, junior Chanelle Sladics capped the scoring,

producing two goals in less than three minutes.

The Sailors (5-1-1, 3-1 in league) have won five of their last six

games, recording six straight shutouts along the way. This is the second

time Newport has not allowed a shot from the opposition.

While Wittman and Whitfield never had to deny a shot, Westminster’s

Nancy Rivera stopped 21 shots as the Lions dropped to 0-4 in league.

Newport will play at Edison Wednesday, then at Santiago Thursday. Both

games are at 3:15 p.m.