CdM dials in, 8-3

Bryce Alderton

Near or far. No it’s not a verse from Celine Dion used in the

‘Titanic’ theme song, but rather the description of where goals were

scored by the Corona del Mar High girls water polo team against Santa

Barbara Friday.

The Sea Kings (17-4) used drives inside as well as long-range

shots to find the back of the net eight times in an 8-3 win in the

quarterfinals of the Irvine Southern California Championships at

Corona del MarHigh.

“We put it away early and kept building the lead,” said CdM senior

Brittany Bowlus, who missed two games Thursday, battling a head cold,

but came back in resounding fashion Friday, scoring Corona del Mar’s

first two goals in a four-goal first quarter. “I had a lot of

adrenaline going. I had trouble breathing during the game but I feel

better than I did yesterday.”

The UCLA-bound Bowlus finished with three goals while fellow

senior Danielle Carlson found the cage four times. Christina Hewko

tallied one goal.

Hewko, Carlson and Bowlus were all All-CIF first-team selections a

year ago.

The Sea Kings scored twice on three six-on-five advantages and

took a 6-1 lead at halftime.

Carlson contributed in other areas as well, collecting two steals

and two assists. Daniela DiGiacomo and Katya Eadington each tallied

two assists and Jessica Harkins added one for the victors. Brittany

Fullen made five saves.

CdM advances to the tournament semifinals against Foothill, ranked

No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division I. The game will be at 10 a.m.

today at CdM.

The Knights have beaten the Sea Kings twice this season, each time

by three goals.

“(The Knights) are beatable,” Bowlus said.

Quarterfinal

CdM 8, Santa Barbara 3

Score by Quarters

S. Barbara 1 0 1

1 -- 3

CdM 4 2 2 0

-- 8

Santa Barbara -- Cahill 1, Gaspardis 1, Wilson 1. Saves

-- May, 7.

CdM -- Carlson 4, Bowlus 3, Christina Hewko 1. Saves -- Fullen,

5.