Field Hockey: Oilers handle Eagles

With consecutive losses in the high school field hockey postseason Tournament of Champions final, Huntington Beach High could be forgiven for feeling it had plenty to lose in its T of C quarterfinal against Chaminade.

But the only pressure evident for the host Oilers on Tuesday was the relentless pressure it put on the overmatched Eagles.

Huntington Beach (17-1-2) posted an oppressive 21-0 advantage in shots on its way to a 4-0 victory that set up a semifinal clash with visiting Edison on Thursday at 3:15 p.m.

Coach Cathy Van Doornum’s Sunset League champions sustained their only defeat at the hands of Edison, which earned a 3-1 triumph on Friday at the Chargers’ field.

The loss to Edison, however, hardly chipped into the Oilers’ confidence, or resolve, a point to which the Eagles would attest.

“This team just kind of plays,” Van Doornum said after four Oilers scored. “I’ve had some teams that were more up tight, but [these players] have this different personality.”

Senior tri-captain Sydney Beale opened the scoring in the ninth minute, then junior Carly Convery and sophomore Stella Zeigler added first-half goals for the hosts.

Senior Lilly Mattes finalized the scoring nine minutes into the second half.

Beale was credited with two assists, while senior tri-captains Carly and Kaitlyn Earnest, as well as junior Roxy Schulman, added assists for the winners.

“I thought we did a good job of passing and finishing,” Van Doornum said. “We created a lot of scoring chances.”

The Oilers will get the chance to avenge their loss to Edison, which they defeated, 2-0, in their first meeting on Oct. 4 at Huntington Beach. Edison defeated the Oilers in the last two T of C title games.

“Losing last year in [the final] was really heartbreaking,” Beale said. “We’re really determined to win it this year, especially the five seniors.”

Huntington Beach is 9-0-2 at home this year and has allowed just nine goals all season.

Chaminade finished 1-7-1.