Daily Pilot Cup: Newport Coast believes

COSTA MESA — When at full strength, the Newport Coast Elementary fifth- and sixth-grade boys’ soccer team believes it may pose a threat to eight-time division champion Rea.

But, unfortunately for Coach Jill Kormos, the Daily Pilot Cup is not the only game in town for some key members of the pink-clad Newport Coast squad.

The Coyotes were at full strength Tuesday, when they earned a 4-1 gold division victory over Eastbluff in the opening round of pool play at the Farm Sports Complex.

But when Newport Coast meets Rea in a pool-play showdown tonight at 6:30, it will start the game without three of its top players.

Blake Kormos, Cameron Kormos and Sam Kobrine, all of whom factored into the scoring against Eastbluff, will be playing in a Newport Beach Little League Baseball playoff game tonight.

“We’re going to be there for the second half [against Rea],” said Blake Kormos, who converted a penalty kick to open the scoring in the ninth minute Tuesday.

An extremely quick baseball game, which begins at 5 p.m., and a smooth commute to Costa Mesa might allow all three players to play near the end of a soccer game that figures to last just past 7:30 p.m.

But Newport Coast showed it has plenty of talent to battle the Sharks, whose self-titled “Domin-Eight” title run includes 5-6 boys’ championships in 2001, ‘02, ‘03, ‘04, ‘05, ‘07, ’08 and ’09.

“We’re going to upset [the Sharks],” Jill Kormos said. “[Tonight] is going to be the game.”

Chris Owen converted an assist from Cameron Kormos to double the lead in the 12th minute and the lead remained at 2-0 at halftime.

Owens scored again, punching one just inside the post on a wayward kick from an Eastbluff defender who tried to clear the ball from the area near the opposite post.

Andrew English scored on an assist by Nick Sperr for Eastbluff, for which Corona del Mar High senior and Gatorade California Player of the Year Reed Williams is an assistant coach, in the 37th minute.

Kobrine finalized the scoring in the 44th minute, blasting a 22-yard drive into the net.

Preston Riddle, Jack LeBeau and Maverick Robinson were among other standouts for the winners.

Brendan Hueston also stood out for Eastbluff.