Girls water polo: CdM finishes strong

Amara Aguilar

Junior Christina Hewko only played in half the game, but she made

the most of it.

Hewko scored three goals in the fourth quarter to propel Corona del

Mar High to an 8-5 victory over host University Wednesday to clinch at

least a share of the Pacific Coast League girls water polo title.

“I was really pumped up because I had to stay in the whole first half

because I came late to our meeting, so I got in trouble sort of,” Hewko

said. “I was out as sort of a punishment. I was just pumped and ready. We

just wanted to put it away and win.”

The Sea Kings (16-5, 4-0 in the PCL) did just that. Corona del Mar

led, 4-3, at halftime and after a scoreless third quarter, CdM’s Brittney

Bowlus opened the fourth with a goal on a point blank shot with 4:52 left

to play.

University (12-8, 3-1) took possession, but not for long. Vivian Liao

stole the ball and passed it up to Hewko who scored from close range with

4:23 remaining to put the Sea Kings ahead, 6-3.

The Trojans answered with a goal from Jenna Greene, but Hewko kept the

pressure on by scoring on a penalty shot with 2:51 to go.

“Christina was the difference in the fourth quarter,” CdM Coach Aaron

Chaney said. “I think we were a little more patient on offense and

Christina getting in there in the two meters made a difference. Just

having her go into the game itself (helped us). She drew ejections. She

was countering.”

University threatened with a goal from Monica Canby with 2:08 left to

bring the Trojans within two, 7-5, but Hewko sealed the win for the Sea

Kings by scoring on a hard shot from the left side with 1:47 remaining.

University Coach Mike Reid said he was surprised when Hewko didn’t

start the game and added that it may have hurt the Trojans’ game plan.

“I feel like her being out worked to our disadvantage,” Reid said. “I

think we would have adjusted better to her if we had seen her the whole

game. To have it be close and her come back in, it gives them a boost ...

When she came back in we didn’t have the mental focus to get the matchups

we wanted, so she was able to get some goals off us.”

Even without Hewko, CdM started strong with goals in the first quarter

from Jessica Harkins and Liao, who scored with a man advantage.

University battled back in the second quarter with Canby and Alaina

Sudeith scoring back-to-back goals to tie the score, 2-2.

Corona del Mar regained the lead when Daniela DiGiacomo scored off a

rebound with 1:02 remaining, but University’s Andrea Bustard found the

net with 15 seconds left to tie the score again.

The Sea Kings ended up with the edge at halftime after Danielle

Carlson scored at the buzzer to give the Sea Kings a 4-3 advantage going

into the third.

“There were no goals in the third at all, so we kind of weathered that

storm,” Reid said. “Hewko came in and was well rested. She’s the most

talented player in the pool and she came off the bench very fresh. It

makes it real hard to adjust to. If we had been able to wear on her the

whole game, maybe she’s not as dominant in the fourth period.”