Kobe Richardson’s late goal lifts Newport Harbor to Battle of the Bay win

Unlike a certain Kobe who used to play basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers, Newport Harbor High senior Kobe Richardson is not used to shooting late in the game for the Sailors girls’ lacrosse team.

Coming into Friday’s Battle of the Bay game, Richardson had just five goals in eight games this season for the Sailors. Yet there she was at the end of the contest at rival Corona del Mar, lining up for a free position opportunity with the score tied.

“I was pretty nervous,” she said. “I don’t shoot that often, I don’t drive that much for the team. But I was really happy to be able to put that one in the back of the net.”

Kobe delivered for the Sailors.

She scored the game-winning goal, bouncing it in with nine seconds left as Newport Harbor earned a 9-8 victory, its second straight Battle of the Bay win.

Freshman Joelle Rothbard, who scored twice, earned the ensuing draw control for the Sailors (4-5). Newport Harbor was on its way to a dramatic win in the rivalry game, which was tied four times in the second half.

“I’m so proud of my team for fighting through, coming through and pulling off a win against a good team,” first-year Sailors coach Brooke Martini said.

Sophomore Caroline Farley led Newport Harbor with three goals, while Mariana Miller, Ella Kenney and Delaney Knipp added one goal each. Farley’s strike with 1:16 remaining tied the score at 8-8.

CdM fell behind 4-0 midway through the first half. Credit Newport Harbor’s defense of junior co-captain Elise Skytte, junior Natalie Williams and sophomores Zoey Palmquist and Paris Kozlowski, as well as freshman goalkeeper Willa Rath (five saves).

But senior Lauren Rowe, junior Joslyn Simaan and sophomore Caroline Brewster all scored late in the half for the Sea Kings (1-5), who closed to within 4-3 by halftime.

Simaan led the Sea Kings with three goals, adding to her team-best total of 14 goals this season. Her goal with 7:01 remaining gave CdM an 8-7 advantage, just its second lead of the game.

Senior keeper Ashley Olson made 11 saves for CdM, whose last four games have all been decided by a goal.

“I think the girls are able to recognize, even in an emotional game, the progress that we’ve made,” CdM coach Aly Simons said. “More than anything, I think they’re really proud of our mental toughness. Being down 4-0 in the beginning, we could have just thrown in the towel, but the girls fought back.”

The Sailors’ other co-captain, senior Adena Rothbard, watched from the sidelines with crutches and a large brace on her right leg. Rothbard said she sprained her medial collateral ligament and ankle during the Sailors’ overtime loss to Tesoro on March 13, and she said she’s most likely out for the season.

Additionally, Newport Harbor’s last three losses — to Park City, from Utah, Tesoro and San Marcos — have been by a combined four goals.

“We’ve had a pretty rough season coming into this [game],” Richardson said, “but I think our hard work paid off and today we showed what we have to offer out on the field.”

matthew.szabo@latimes.com

Twitter: @mjszabo