Mustangs dominate Eagles

COSTA MESA — What pleased Costa Mesa High girls’ water polo coach Tim Postiff most about Wednesday’s Orange Coast League victory over rival Estancia, was the way his team performed.

For all four quarters.

The Mustangs got off to a quick start at the Orange Coast College pool against the Eagles and didn’t let up en route to an easy, 23-4 triumph.

That quick start isn’t something that Costa Mesa, now 9-12, has been used to in recent games.

The final score, as well, was unusual for what Postiff said is annually a close rivalry game.

“I thought the girls played really well,” Postiff said. “What I was really happy with is that the girls played a complete game. For the past six or seven games, we would only play a couple of good quarters. We’d generally get off to a slow start, fall behind by several goals, and then play catch-up the rest of the game. This time, we didn’t do that. The girls were a little more focused.”

By coming out strong and continuing to dominate throughout the game, Costa Mesa was able to even its league record at 1-1.

The win was the first for the Mustangs since a Jan. 9 nonleague win over Nipomo.

Estancia, meanwhile, remained winless, 0-2 in league.

It took just 11 seconds for Costa Mesa to set the tone Wednesday. Junior utility player Sydney Rosello drilled a shot into the upper right-corner of the net to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Then, another junior utility player, Ashley DeMarzo scored three-straight goals to push the advantage to 4-0 less than three minutes into the game.

In fact, the Mustangs scored the game’s first seven goals to forge a 7-1 lead, getting consecutive goals from senior defender Hannah Speer and another goal from DeMarzo to finish off Costa Mesa’s scoring in the quarter.

Estancia got on the scoreboard on a goal by junior utility player Kylie Carpenter with just six seconds left in the quarter.

Costa Mesa shut down Estancia in the second quarter, when it outscored the Eagles, 6-0. Speer scored the first four goals of the quarter, her second score, a quick, sweeping backhand, and Kellie Thorness scored consecutive goals to close out the half.

The Mustangs went into the break with a 13-1 lead.

“I was really pleased with our teamwork,” Postiff said. “This is a nice win because both of these schools really get excited to play this game every year. This game generally is decided by a just few goals.”

DeMarzo and Speer led all scorers with six goals each and Thorsness finished with three goals.

Costa Mesa senior goalie Danielle Bowen, who played the first two quarters, had five saves. Sophomore goalie Claudine Le had five saves in the second half.

Carpenter led Estancia with three goals.

Costa Mesa will open play Friday with two games at the Bonita Tournament. The Mustangs have a 4:30 p.m. start against ML King, then play either Murietta Valley or Cerritos in their second game.