Newport edges CdM in frosh-soph polo finale

It took overtime, but the Newport Harbor High frosh-soph girls’ water polo team won the El Dorado Frosh-Soph Championships after a dramatic 8-7 overtime victory over Back Bay rival Corona del Mar Saturday .

Sophomore Ashley Erickson scored the game-winner and finished with three goals. Freshman Presley Pender also added three goals for Newport Harbor, which received two goals from Maddy McLaren.

Down two goals with just over a minute to go in the fourth period, Erickson’s powerful backhand brought Newport to within one. Then Pender tied the game with 10 seconds left in regulation against CdM, the defending champion.

Sophomore experience and defense brought home the Sailors’ overtime victory led by goalie Isabella Donati’s career-high 13 saves and the flawless passes from Samantha Archie and Zoe Sanglerat, setting up Erickson’s final goal to seize the title.

Others contributing to Newport Harbor’s championship were Emily Horrell, Paisley Muller and Sophie Leveque.

The Sailors’ title-game victory was a bit of revenge, as Corona del Mar won the Newport Harbor Frosh-Soph Tournament the previous weeekend that featured another All-Back Bay final.

CdM beat Newport Harbor, 2-1, in the championship game. Diana Murhpy and Maddie Schwartz scored goals for the Sea Kings, while McLaren had the lone goal for the Sailors.

CdM defeated Marina, Foothill and Riverside Poly on its way to the title game.

Both CdM and Newport Harbor feature former standouts as coaches. Jenna Murphy coaches Newport Harbor. Christina Hewko and Vivian Liao coach CdM.

— From staff reports