Fast starts have been the norm for the Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor high school girls’ soccer teams this season.

In two different matches, University of Arizona-bound CdM senior striker Megan Chelf has scored a goal within a minute of the opening whistle, coach Bryan Middleton said.

Putting opponents on the defensive early has paid dividends for the Sea Kings (9-0) and Sailors (11-2), who are ranked Nos. 5 and 6 in CIF Southern Section Division 1 respectively. Both have tournament championships under their belts, as CdM won the Best in the West Winter Soccer Classic “EFGH” Division title on Dec. 21. On Saturday, the Sailors won the North Orange County Classic “ABCD” Division for the first time in program history.

They are among the strongest teams in the Sunset Conference, and that makes their crossover match even more interesting. The defending Wave League champion Sailors will host the Battle of the Bay match for the first time in recent years, on Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. Click here to read more.

Newport Harbor High senior midfielder Emily Johnson and junior forward Sadie Pitchess shared the Wave League girls’ soccer MVP award after helping the Sailors win their first league title since the 1985-86 season. CLICK HERE to read more.

“It was basically the perfect senior season that you could ask for, making it further in CIF than I ever have and just the team overall,” she said. “Being close with the other seniors was awesome, too. Yeah, I think it was a great way to end my high school experience, for sure. I feel like this year also leaves a precedent for future years. That makes me really proud that I’m able to leave that, especially as a senior.”

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First Team – M Emily Johnson, Newport Harbor, Sr.

Second Team – D Samara Golan, Newport Harbor, So.

Second Team – M Reese Bodas, Newport Harbor, So.

Some good scoring chances came and went for the Newport Harbor High girls’ soccer team in the first half Wednesday night.

Still, it felt like a goal was coming for the Sailors against Mission Viejo in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. Click here to read more.

Reese Bodas and Skylynn Rodriguez scored goals as the Newport Harbor High girls’ soccer team beat visiting Laguna Beach 2-1 in Thursday’s Wave League opener.

Kenna Robar and Sadie Pitchess had assists for Newport Harbor, which improved to 12-2-5 overall and plays at Fountain Valley on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Click here to read more.

Newport Harbor High sophomore Reese Bodas is better known as “Peanut,” not only to her teammates on the girls’ soccer field but also among many of her classmates at school.

Bodas got the nickname on her first club team, as a 7-year-old for Slammers FC. The team was coached by Daily Pilot Cup tournament director Kirk McIntosh and also featured five players — Nicole Laz, Kaitin Degen, Samara Golan, Jenna McConnaughey and Skylynn Rodriguez — who are current Sailors teammates of Bodas. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

With a wink and a nod, the Newport Harbor High set piece was in motion.

Senior midfielder Emily Johnson dropped her right foot onto a free kick, sending the soccer ball into a crowd of bodies to the left side of the net. Click here to read more.