Sunset showdown: Pre-match analysis of LosAl-Newport

THE SUNSET SHOWDOWN

No. 2 LOS AL (11-0) VS. NO. 1 NEWPORT HARBOR (7-1)

Wednesday at Newport Harbor, 6 p.m.

LIVE IN-GAME COVERAGE: Dan Albano's twitter page

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS

LOS ALAMITOS (11-0)

1 Savanna Smith, Jr., GK

3 Kellie Guerin, Jr.  or 7 Marley Delaney, So.

4 Cory Dodson, Jr.

5 Stephanie Mutafyan, Fr.

6 Rachel Fattal, So.

8 Kaley Dodson, Sr. (Stanford signee)

11 Dari Watkins, Jr.

NEWPORT HARBOR (7-1)

1 Krissy Burger, Sr., GK

4 Catherine Carpenter, Jr.

5 Colleen McCall, Sr. (USC signee)

7 Katie Jackson, Sr.

9 Kate Klippert, Sr. (Cal signee)

11 Kailyn Obenauer, Jr.

15 Kaleigh Gilchrist, Sr. (USC signee)

PRE-MATCH ANALYSIS BY DAN ALBANO, OCVARSITY.COM

CENTERS
   Newport Harbor’s primary 2-meter girl is USC-bound Kaleigh Gilchrist. The senior leads the Lady Sailors with 28 goals and can be a force at set or just beyond 5 meters. Looking for the best arm in the pool? It's Gilchrist. The Cal-bound Kate Klippert also can set but sophomore Madison McLaren or junior Kailyn Obenauer could emerge as secondary centers to watch. Against powerhouse Dos Pueblos, Gilchrist didn’t get much help setting. The Griffins play the isolation game at offense - at 2 meters and the perimeter. One Southern California coach said Rachel Fattal is Coach Dave Carlson's primary center with Cory Dodson the secondary with her sister, Kaley Dodson, always ready to post if the matchup is there. The under-rated and emerging Cory Dodson leads the team in goals with 39 goals. Fattal is second with 23 goals. So yes, when Cory Dodson is your secondary set, you're pretty deep at center.
   Advantage: Even

CENTER DEFENDERS
   Both are talented here. Stanford-signee Kaley Dodson is potentially a steal-machine with her long arms. Los Alamitos’ Dari Watkins also can guard center and provides some outstanding depth. Klippert is a very tough defender. She also also can rack up the steals but needs to stay out of foul trouble. One intriguing matchup could be Gilchrist vs. Los Alamitos’ choice of 2 meter defenders. Gilchrist’s play has been consistent, so the Griffins will need to defend her well. Gilchrist is the offensive player with the best chance of taking over this game.
   Advantage: Los Al

ATTACKERS
   Both teams have speed to burn for the transition game. The Lady Sailors have a talented senior-combo in Colleen McCall and Katie Jackson but duo hasn’t produced huge offensive numbers. The Griffins counter with a youthful group of Adi Gosselin, Marley Delaney, Stephanie Mutafyan and Kellie Guerin. Neither of the four has big stats but Kaley Dodson also can jump into the fray from 2 meters, too. Klippert can do the same for Newport Harbor. So yes, fans should watch that race from 2 meters to 2 meters closely.

   Advantage: Even
  
GOALIES
   Newport Harbor senior Krissy Burger played well in the Battle of the Bay game and at the Holiday Cup. That’s a great sign for the Sailors. Los Alamitos junior Savanna Smith is only slightly taller but is more athletic and capable of making the spectacular save. Smith was MVP of the Villa Park Classic.
   Advantage: Los Al

COUNTERATTACK
   Newport Harbor is known for its counterattack and for good reason. If the Lady Sailors can apply pressure and get turnovers, they can excel in the open water with space. The Griffins certainly have the speed to stick with Newport Harbor but not quite the counterattack.
   Advantage: Newport

POWER-PLAY OFFENSE (6 on 5)
  Coach Bill Barnett-coached teams usually know exactly how to attack on the 6-on-5. The Lady Sailors can quickly slide into the position and find the open attacker with the best teams. This unit wasn’t sharp in the Battle of the Bay or against Dos Pueblos but I’ll go with past history and Gilchrist’s right arm here.
   Advantage: Newport

POWER-PLAY DEFENSE (5 on 6)
   Coach Dave Carlson’s strength is on defense. With Smith in goal and the size of Kaley Dodson, Fattal and Watkins, the Griffins have the ability to knock down their share of shots.
   Advantage: Los Al

COACHING
   Barnett’s remains a tireless worker. The ex-Olympic coach has heavily scouted Los Alamitos – from the rain of the Villa Park Classic to across the Coronado Bridge for a match deep in San Diego County. Both teams have certainly kept a few things under-wraps but Barnett will be hard to fool.
   Advantage: Newport

DAN ALBANO'S PREDICTION
   That same Southern California coach predicted a three-goal victory for Newport but that’s not going to happen. There’s a reason Barnett has scouted so heavily: Los Al is deep and has excellent goalie. The Lady Sailors emerge with a one-goal victory: 8-7.

YOU MAKE THE CALL

Predict the winner by visiting Dan Albano's blog