Defense sparks Lightning win

Bryce Alderton

One of the traits Coach Jeff Andrews likes about Sage Hill School

girls water polo players in the early stages of this season is their

hard work.

The hours spent honing skills during practices help in any sport

and on Thursday against nonleague host Estancia, the Lightning

witnessed the fruits of their labor.

Senior Devin Tooma scored twice while an aggressive defense helped

lift the Lightning to a 4-3 victory over the Eagles.

Tooma shook off a defender at two meters and whipped a shot into

the cage for the game-winning goal with 2 minutes, 43 seconds left in

the fourth quarter.

The Eagles fired three shots the rest of the way, including their

final chance at forcing a possible overtime session with 15 seconds

left following a ball out.

Junior Carolina Barnes took an entry pass and rifled a shot from 5

meters, but Sage goalkeeper Kirra Neal made a two-handed stop for her

fourth and final save to help seal the victory.

“We brought it all together this game,” said Tooma, a four-year

varsity member playing her first season at two meters. “This game

puts us above .500 [the Lightning improved to 5-4]. We want to make

[the CIF Southern Section playoffs] and playing Estancia brought our

game to a higher level.”

Sophomore Melissa Buchmann tied Tooma with a game-high two goals

while senior Courtney Hess added one for the Eagles (4-4), who were

missing two of their starters -- one player due to what Coach Bob

Bandaruk believes is academic ineligibility while the other was out

of town.

The Eagles struggled to get open looks at the Sage goal, often

forcing shots from the perimeter that sailed over the cage.

“[Sage Hill] had a great defense,” Bandaruk said. “The girls had

free reign to take shots, but they weren’t the best of shots.

“But we’ve been blown out by teams this year, so to be in it at

the end ... the girls are still coming along and not giving up.”

Junior goalkeeper Katie Mahan played a key role in helping the

Eagles, who never led but forced three ties, stay within one goal the

entire way.

Mahan made 15 saves, including seven in the third quarter. Tooma

nearly scored a third time on a shot Mahan deflected, but the

goalkeeper swam laterally to prevent the ball from floating into the

cage’s left side.

Andrews wasn’t caught off guard by the relatively low-scoring

contest.

“Defense is our strong suit,” Andrews said. “That was our best

game of the season. We got good play at two-meter defense, especially

from [senior] Whitney Gaglio, and the girls did a good job of

stepping in the passing lanes and not allowing [the Eagles] to get

open. Even when someone got open, two girls were around the ball.”

Gaglio, a transfer from Marina, and junior Elle White each scored

one goal while Sarah Wesley, who made two steals in the fourth

quarter, tallied one assist for Sage Hill. Junior Karly Bennett and

Tooma each had one assist.

*--*

Nonleague

Sage Hill 4, Estancia 3

Score by Quarters

Sage 1 2 0 1 -- 4

Est 1 1 1 0 -- 3

Sage -- Tooma 2, Gaglio 1, White 1. Saves -- Neal 4.

Est -- Buchmann 2, Hess 1. Saves -- Mahan 15.

*--*