Girls water polo: Mustangs roll over Eagles, 14-3

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - There was no perpetual trophy nor a CIF Southern

Section playoff spot awaiting the winner. But Monday’s crosstown showdown

between Pacific Coast League girls water polo rivals Costa Mesa High and

host Estancia still featured a little something extra.

“They’re our crosstown rival, so there was pressure on our team to

win,” first-year Mesa Coach Kathy LeCours said. “We wanted to show them

we are still a strong team.”

Costa Mesa senior Erin Bayes wanted to complete her four-year varsity

career without losing to the Eagles and went about ensuring just that.

The Mustangs’ team captain, who defends two meters and typically looks

to pass at the offensive end, Bayes exploded for a career-high five goals

to pace a 14-3 victory.

“I’m normally trying to do so many other things,” Bayes said of her

atypical scoring burst. “But it felt really good to get those

opportunities today. It was a good release after the season we’ve had.

And we’ve still never lost to Estancia in my four years.”

Bayes initiated a 5-0 first-quarter onslaught, scoring 29 seconds into

the contest with an assist by Candice Carpenter.

Wendy Martinovich, Dana Steenhard and Jody Martinovich all had single

tallies in the first period, during which Bayes scored twice for the

visitors (2-2 in league).

Estancia (3-11, 1-3), held the Mustangs scoreless the final five

minutes of the first half and senior Katie Menden scored with 4:29 left

to limit the intermission deficit to 7-1.

“I was very proud of the way we came back and played in the second

quarter,” Estancia Coach John Carpenter said. “It was only 2-1 in that

quarter.”

The Mustangs, however, turned it up a notch after halftime, earning a

6-1 edge in the third quarter, before emptying the bench in a 1-1

fourth-quarter stalemate that included blown six-on-four scoring chances

by both squads.

Jody Martinovich and Steenhard each scored twice in the third period

and both finished with three goals. Steenhard also matched Bayes with a

team-high three steals as the Mesa defense helped force 21 Eagle

turnovers.

Wendy Martinovich, among seven Mustangs to score, also chipped in a

team-high three assists and sophomore Allison Gravis had five saves, two

steals and two assists.

Estancia’s Somer Flaherty converted a four-meter penalty shot with

1:20 left in the third period and Menden capped the scoring by finishing

off a six-on-five opportunity with 25 seconds left.

Another standout for the Eagles was senior goalie Anna Rasmussen, who

collected six of her seven saves in the second half. Rasmussen came off

the bench to play the final three quarters, after sophomore Laura Morton

made two first-quarter saves.

“Some of her saves were really nice,” Carpenter said of Rasmussen, who

was often left defenseless against Mesa counterattacks.

“(Mesa) is a strong, fast team,” Carpenter said. “They had a few moe

counterattacks than we did.”

Both teams complete their PCL campaigns Wednesday. Mesa hosts Corona

del Mar and Estancia hosts University. Both games are 4 p.m.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Costa Mesa 14, Estancia 3

Score by Quarters

Costa Mesa 5 2 6 1 - 14

Estancia 0 1 1 1 - 3

Costa Mesa - Bayes 5, J. Martinovich 3, Steenhard 3, W. Martinovich 1,

Axton 1, Wright 1. Saves - Gravis 3.

Estancia - Menden 2, Flaherty 1. Saves - Rasmussen 7, Morton 2.