Girls’ polo team posts 2-1 record

The Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo girls’ 14-and-Under team returned to the pool last weekend for three games in the California Cup League.

The league includes nine teams from throughout the southland and games were played at Foothill High in Tustin.

Laguna posted a 2-1 record in three matches played.

Laguna 17, SoCal 3

Playing as a full squad for the first time in two weeks, Laguna had little problems with host SoCal.

Only 15 seconds had elapsed in the match when Melena Masson scored the first goal on a backhander from hole set, which gave Laguna a 1-0 lead. Twenty seconds later, Yoshi Andersen found the next after making a steal and creating an open shot for herself.

Jesse Holechek then scored from the wing and Kelsey Thorton and Masson added goals later in opening period. With SoCal not getting any shots on goal in the first period the defense of Hannah Lawson and Bridget Alvarez leading to the shutout — Laguna was able to open a comfortable, 5-0 lead.

In period two, Jessica Shusko scored once and Candyce Schroeder twice to lead the Laguna charge. Additional goals were scored in the period by Andersen, Thorton and Lida De Groote.

Laguna was in complete control at the half, 11-0.

SoCal managed a goal early in period three but then Edy Manetta made a steal and recorded two saves to to keep the host team at bay. Lawson scored twice in the period for Laguna

In the third and final period, Schroeder posted three goals and Holechek one.

Santa Barbara 8, Laguna 3

Kiley Neuschel scored five of Santa Barbara’s eight goals as Laguna fell to its archrival.

Riley Duncan and Jesse Holechek scored goals, each assisted by Jessica Shusko, to pull Laguna to within 4-2 at the half.

But Santa Barbara scored four-straight goals after halftime to open up an 8-2 lead. Schroeder added a late goal for Laguna to close out the scoring.

Laguna 12,

Santa Barbara “B” 3

In its final game of the day, Laguna easily took care of Santa Barbara’s “B” team.

Riley Duncan had three goals and Yoshi Andersen and Jessica Shusko each scored twice in the opening period.

Additional Laguna goals were registered by Jesse Holechek, Kelsey Thorton, Bridget Alvarez, Hannah Lawson and Lida De Groote.