Youth polo teams defeat Newport Beach

Two Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo girls’ teams enjoyed success last weekend at the expense of teams from Newport Beach.

A third age group team, the 10-and-Under squad, opened its season with an 8-8 tie against Corona del Mar.

14-and-Under Division

Laguna 18, Newport 3

In a six-quarter match, Laguna rolled from the start to score a resounding victory.

Coach Ethan Damato split his team into two squads for the match, with each playing every other quarter.

In the first quarter, Jessica Shusko and Candyce Schroeder lead Laguna with two goals each. A stifling Laguna defense — keyed by Melina Masson, Jessie Holechek, Riley Duncan and Kelsey Thorton — didn’t allow Newport to get any shots off on goalie Edy Manetta in the opening quarter.

Bridget Alvarez came up with a steal, sprint and scoring combination that pushed Laguna’s lead to 5-0. Newport cracked the scoreboard by scoring on a long shot that followed a foul to narrow the margin to 5-1. In the third quarter, goals by Holehek and Thorton preceded another Newport score, as Laguna took a 7-2 lead after three quarters.

It was the fourth quarter Laguna squad that broke the match open. Two goals by Lauren Hampton and one each by Lyda De Groote and Kaitlyn Waidley upped the advantage to 11-2. Hannah Lawson picked up a pair of assists during the quarter.

In the fifth quarter, Holechek, Masson and Thorton again found the net and in the final quarter, Manetta came up with a goal and two assists and Hampton, Alvarez and Nicole Hoes also scored.

12-and-Under Division

Laguna 11, Newport 6

Laguna had little problem with Newport Beach on Sunday, as the locals posted an 11-6 victory.

Alia Manetta scored five of Laguna’s six goals, Mackenzi Baldridge scored four and Brigette Kimbrough had the other two.

Defensively, Cloe Glore and Aidan Dick led the way for Laguna.

In other action

10-and-Under Division

Laguna began its new season with a match against Corona del Mar, with the two teams battling to an 8-8 tie.

The offensive play of Connor Hauer, Trent Sadler and Aki Andersen in the opening quarter led to two goals and goalie Jeffrey Rubino turned back three shot attempts as the locals took a 2-0 lead.

Corona del Mar fought back to tie the score in the second quarter. Laguna got second-half scores from Sadler, Cade Baldridge and Nolan Del Torro, and strong play from Maya Clemonds, Diana Shirley, Reid DeGroote, Henry White and Bella Baldridge.