High School Roundup: Laguna girls extend winning streak to 30 in water polo
The Laguna Beach girls’ water polo team turned 30 last Saturday. That’s No. 30, as in consecutive victories the Breakers have racked up reaching back to last winter.
The Breakers achieved that milestone in convincing fashion, too. The top-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 1 handled the division’s second-ranked team, Foothill, 13-3, in the championship game of the Holiday Cup at Newport Harbor High. The result capped a 4-0 tourney run that continued the Breakers’ school record win streak.
“I was very proud of our growth from the start of the tournament to the end,” Laguna Coach Ethan Damato said. “We played our best polo in the finals and had a great result overall as a team. At the same time, we came out of the weekend with a lot of things to improve on going forward.”
At the Holiday Cup, Laguna routed San Diego Rancho Bernardo (25-0) and Santa Margarita (No. 10, CIF-SS Division 1, 15-4), to move on to the semifinals where they defeated Newport Harbor (No. 3, Division 1) for the second time this season, 7-3.
In the title game win against Foothill, Makenzie and Aria Fischer both scored five goals, Bella Baldridge, Taylor Julson and Hayley Evans each scored once, and Holly Parker had 13 saves for the Breakers.
“In the semis, I thought we looked flat for a lot of the game,” Damato said. “We lacked energy and creativity which we really needed against a good Newport team. In the final, I thought we really brought the fire, played really fast and had Foothill on their heels most the game.
“The one constant throughout the weekend was our defense and 5-on-6 which seemed to get sharper every game. We never gave up more than four goals all weekend and held teams to under 20% on their 6-on-5. We are tough to be beat when we play defense like that.”
Laguna’s 30-game win streak dates to Jan. 10, 2014. On that day, the Breakers were handed an 8-7 home loss by Foothill. The Breakers then went on to win out in the 2013-14 season, which included capturing the CIF-SS Division 1 title.
Laguna’s win streak was put on the line on Thursday when the teams met again at the Foothill pool. The score wasn’t available at press time.
The Breakers were back in the pool this week, “prepping” for more big, upcoming competition, Damato said.
In addition to playing at Foothill Thursday, the Breakers are back on the road next week, first opening Orange Coast League play at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday at Costa Mesa. They then head north to take on Dos Pueblos, ranked eighth in CIF-SS Division 1, in a nonleague game on Thursday, and will take part next weekend in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions.
Laguna is the defending champion in both the OCL and Santa Barbara tournament.
Thursday’s game at Foothill started Laguna on an eight-game run over a nine-day period.
Number One, again, will be tested.
“It’s going to be a grind and great test for us,” Damato said. “Eight of nine games will be against ranked opponents, It’s going to be tough.”
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Girls’ Soccer
The Breakers were back in action on Tuesday at San Juan Hills, and battled the host Stallions to a scoreless draw.
Laguna Coach Bill Rolfing called the nonleague game a “hard-fought, end-to-end match.”
“Both teams had opportunities,” he said. “This was the first match for us with a rebuilt midfield, and the coaches felt positive with the outcome.”
Rolfing said he was pleased with his team’s defensive structure that included veteran defensive players Amy Hewlett, Emily Addis, Janie Crawford and Chiara Noppenberger. He said goalie Kylie George “had another outstanding match.”
Tuesday’s outcome put the Breakers at 2-2-5 overall.
“The team is still searching for more goals and will be concentrating on that over the next few training sessions,” he said. “All and all, the 0-0 result against a 6-1-1 team (San Juan), is acceptable.”
The girls’ soccer program staged its annual Alumni Game last Saturday at Guyer Field. The current varsity team came away with a 7-1 victory. The match was the first since the Breakers went to the desert during winter break where they scored a pair of victories.
“The two wins on the Palm Desert trip were great confidence boosters,” Rolfing said. “The 2-1 win over Xavier Prep, and the 4-0 win over Indio, has provided the crucial start to our Orange Coast League preparations.”
The Breakers played a nonleague game on Thursday at JSerra. The score wasn’t available at press time. Next week, they go after a repeat Orange Coast League title when the defending champs start their league campaign with a 3:15 p.m. game at Costa Mesa.
Laguna also will host league foe Saddleback at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Guyer Field.
“I think we will be right in the hunt for a repeat OCL championship,” Rolfing said. “A very solid defense has been complimented this year with a new look for the midfield. The ambition now is to create more scoring opportunities.
“Despite several, unfortunate injuries this year, we hope to have the depth to contend for the title.”
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Boys’ Soccer
The Breakers, idle since Dec. 19, return to the pitch Friday and host Saddleback Valley Christian at 4:30 p.m. in nonleague play at Guyer Field. Next week, they start their Orange Coast League schedule with a 6:30 p.m. home game on Wednesday against Costa Mesa.
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Twitter: @MikeSciacca