CdM belts El Segundo, 13-7

Bryce Alderton

All roads lead to the CIF Playoffs for a program as steeped in water

polo tradition as Corona del Mar High.

Gaining every advantage possible, CdM Coach Aaron Chaney had

foresight, and his preparedness paid off in a 13-7 Sea King victory

over host El Segundo in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section

Division II girls water polo Playoffs Saturday at Mira Costa High.

The win puts the Sea Kings (24-5) against Canyon, the Century

League’s No. 2 representative, in Wednesday’s semifinals at a site to

be determined.

Chaney purposely scheduled a game last week at Montebello to give

his team experience with a bus ride, playing away from the friendly

confines of CdM High and getting used to Los Angeles County referees.

The strategy paid off as CdM blitzed to a 7-0 lead after one

quarter, getting four goals from senior Danielle Carlson, who led all

scorers with six. UCLA-bound Brittany Bowlus found the net three

times and Christina Hewko, the CIF Division IV Player of the Year

last season when CdM inhabited that league, scored twice and added

one assist for the victors against an overmatched El Segundo team

that finished No. 2 in the Bay League.

“Getting used to not being at our pool helped,” Hewko said. “L.A.

County referees don’t call as much. We wanted to put (El Segundo)

away from the beginning and show people we deserve to be No. 1.”

CdM is ranked No. 1 in Division Il, while the Eagles (23-7) was

ranked eighth coming in.

“They are definitely the best team we’ve ever faced,” said El

Segundo Co-Coach Scott Garinger. “We gave our all and had nothing to

lose.”

Referees called nine ejections between both teams, letting the

players decide the fate of the contest.

Early on, it was easy to see CdM taking full advantage of its

counterattack, much to Chaney’s pleasure.

Carlson scored her fourth goal with 14 seconds left after

receiving a lob pass from goalkeeper Brittany Fullen, who made seven

saves in three quarters before Chaney inserted reserves in the final

quarter.

Chaney credited his defense for sparking CdM scoring chances.

“They would take eight-to-nine-meter lob shots right at (Fullen),”

Chaney said. “Our defense made it easy for her.” Kelsey McCormick

relieved Fullen in the final period and made two saves.

Carlson made two steals as did freshman Camille Hewko, Christina’s

sister, and Amy Strack had two assists.

Vivian Liao and Jordan Anae each scored once and Katya Eadington

swarmed opponents during her time in the tank.

The Sea Kings scored five times in the third to build the lead to,

13-1, before El Segundo equaled that goal total in the final period.