Girls water polo: CdM loses big lead, then the game

Joseph Boo

IRVINE - In the first half, it looked as if an easy victory against

host University High was inevitable for Corona del Mar’s girls water polo

team in a Pacific Coast League game Wednesday afternoon.

But the Trojans pulled off an improbable comeback from a 6-1 deficit in

the second half and got the upset win, 9-7.

CdM (12-8, 2-1 in league), ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division

IV, could have clinched a share of the PCL championship with the win.

Instead, the Sea Kings are tied with University (8-10, 2-1), which is

ranked No. 6 in Division IV, in second place.

The Sea Kings got off to a fast start. Danielle Carlson and Melinda

Tucker scored for CdM in the first two minutes. After a timeout, Uni

scored to cut the lead to 2-1, but CdM then went on a 4-0 run. Carlson

got another goal, Christina Hewko had two and Hayley Hapeman one during

the Sea Kings’ run. CdM’s lead could have been even larger, as Hewko,

Tucker, Hapeman and Lindsay Daley had shots that just missed.

Then, with 5:45 left in the third quarter, the game completely changed

complexion. Uni’s Manon Gee scored her second goal on a four-meter shot.

Seven minutes later, in the fourth quarter, Uni’s Julie Voorhes grabbed a

rebound and scored to give the Trojans a 7-6 lead.

Tucker responded immediately with a goal for CdM, but Gee scored seconds

later for an 8-7 Uni lead.

CdM came achingly close to tying the game in the final five minutes.

Carlson had two shots bounce off the post. And Tucker had a shot that

just went wide.

Instead, the Trojans got their ninth goal with a minute left to take a

9-7 lead, leaving the Sea Kings in total shock.

“I don’t know what happened,” CdM goalie Arin Hendrickson, who had nine

saves, said. “We just didn’t play well in the second half.

CdM will take part in the Irvine Southern Calfornia Championships this

weekend, opening against Edison today at 4 p.m. at CdM.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

University 9, Corona del Mar 7

Score by Quarters

Corona del Mar 3 2 1 1 - 7

University 1 0 5 3 - 9

Corona del Mar - Carlson 2, Tucker 2, Hewko 2, Ha. Hapeman 1. Saves -

Hendrickson 9.

University - Gee 3, Gohtbrett 2, Voorhes 2, Jacobs 1, Tretz 1. Saves -

Mayer 6.