DIVISION 1

No. 2 NEWPORT HARBOR (25-5) vs. No. 1 DOS PUEBLOS (30-0), 6:30 p.m.

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Outlook: Defending champion Dos Pueblos of Goleta features two of the fastest rising female stars in the United States. There’s senior/junior team attacker Kiley Neushul, a junior, and junior team goalie Sami Hill, a senior who signed with UCLA.

But Sailors coach Bill Barnett (pictured above) said there is a lot more to consider when facing Dos Pueblos. “They are the quickest team I think I’ve ever seen,” the ex-Olympic men’s coach said. “They’re quick on the counter(attack). Quick on everything. Quick on the drive.

Quick on the shots. I mean, Neushul, she gets off her shots quicker than anyone I’ve ever seen … at least in high school level. Like a boy. Like James Bergeson.”

Another Dos Pueblos strength: chemistry. “They’ve played together so long,” Barnett said.

Newport Harbor will need to exact some control, Barnett believes. On offense, the Sailors need to score a few early goals against Hill for psychological purposes, Barnett said. Newport Harbor is 0-2 against Dos Pueblos but in the two matches, it found the most offensive success by attacking at 2 meters. Dos Pueblos isn’t the tallest team, Barnett noted, so perhaps the Sailors could work for a favorable matchup. Newport Harbor features four players who can set 2 meters.

And like all big matches, power-play chances will be critical.

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