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.
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