Kindschi’s Overtime Goal Propels Marina to Title

Heather Kindschi knocked in a cross from Chelsea Davis in sudden-death overtime to give Marina a 1-0 victory over Newport Harbor in the championship game of the field hockey Tournament of Champions Saturday at Pleasant View Park in Huntington Beach.

It was the first title for the Vikings (20-3-2), who lost in last year’s final to Edison, 1-0.

Coach Chris Gray, an assistant at Marina for eight years before taking over for Shelly Luth this season, said the victory was a long time coming, and after a difficult year it was even more rewarding.

“My team really struggled throughout the season,” Gray said. “We had a lot of internal problems. We had some personality issues. But we overcame all that and they really came through today.”

Marina pressed in overtime and got three shots in the first two minutes. Kindschi, who was hovering in front of the goal, got open, took a pass from Davis and slapped the ball past goalkeeper Chloe Cox, 2 minutes and 54 seconds into sudden death.

“We basically left Heather there as a cherry picker,” Gray said. “She loves to do that and she got the job done.”

The Vikings controlled the tempo early and had several scoring opportunities, including 12 penalty corners, but the Sailor defense held them off, led by some tough play from Sarah Green.

Newport Harbor (19-4-1), the Sunset League champion, gained some momentum in the second half and had several good chances too. But Marina goalkeeper Lissette Kocka kicked out everything that came her way. She had eight saves, including a brilliant stop on a one-on-one breakaway by the Sailors’ Lauren Birchfield.