Foothill edges Laguna

It was No. 1 vs. No. 2, and it was only the first match of the 2007-08 girls’ water polo season.

Yet Foothill and Laguna Beach launched their respective seasons Tuesday (Dec. 4) at the Laguna pool against one another, two highly-regarded programs locked in a hotly-contested nonleague match that needed overtime to decide a winner.

Foothill emerged with the win, escaping 9-8 after two three-minute overtime periods.

The Knights, who won the Division I title a year ago, came into the season again atop the division rankings.

The Breakers, runner-up to the Division II crown last year, came in at No. 2 in the division’s initial poll of the season.

“I thought we played them pretty well,” Laguna Coach Chad Beeler said. “We were pleased with the girls’ performance.

“If anything that was a disappointment on our side and by that, I mean in reference to us coaches, we could have handled a few key situations differently. For the most part, we played a great game. I would love to play them again.”

Laguna jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first quarter before Foothill rallied and the Knights responded by outscoring the Breakers 4-1 in the second quarter, to take a 5-4 lead into the half.

The Breakers outscored the Knights 3-2 in the third quarter to draw even (7-7), and both teams scored once in the final quarter to force overtime.

In the first three-minute overtime period, the Knights took the lead on a goal by Kathryn Bustard with Emily Klug getting an assist on the play.

Neither team was able to score in the second overtime.

“In overtime, we definitely had our chances,” Beeler said. “We drew an ejection but couldn’t convert. Foothill went down and drew an ejection, and they did convert. They took advantage of their opportunity.”

Laguna currently is competing at the Villa Park Classic which began Thursday (Dec. 6) and concludes Saturday (Dec. 8) with final round action.

Laguna finished third at last year’s tournament.

“It’s going to be a tough event, but I feel that we have a good chance of advancing far and winning it,” Beeler said.

“This is the best tournament that a team can be in at this time of year.”

The Villa Park Classic will be played at four school pool sites: Villa Park, Huntington Beach, Brea Olinda and Savanna.

Following the tournament, Laguna will host Edison in a 4 p.m. nonleague match Tuesday (Dec. 11).