By Frank Aronoff | LB Indy
Girls Water Polo (9-0)
Laguna showed why they are the nation’s top girls water polo team as the Breakers scored seven straight goals to bury second-ranked Foothill 13-3 in the 19th Annual Newport Holiday Cup championship. The Breakers victory was the most lopsided title game in any major tournament in the 20 years the sport has been played in Southern California. Laguna’s defense made their opponents work hard for any score.
Photos by Robert Campbell
Breakers took the initial lead against Foothill on their first possession as Bella Baldridge fed Makenzie Fischer with a solid pass that quickly became Fisher’s first goal with barely 20 seconds gone in the contest. Fischer scored again followed by a score by her sister, Aria Fischer, and it was 3-0 after just over three minutes of play.
Taylor Julson added a score before the Knights finally found the cage at the 1:23 mark of the first period. The teams traded goals in the second period and Foothill cut the lead to 5-3 as Cana Manzella scored on a power play at the 4:42 mark of the third period. The Breakers wasted no time as Makenzie Fischer fed Bella Baldridge for a score on the ensuing possession. With the score 8-3 entering the final period, the Laguna squad then methodically added four straight goals in less than three minutes to completely demoralize the previously undefeated opponent. Holly Parker capped an exceptional day in the cage with 13 saves including a penalty shot called on Foothill’s initial possession of the second period.
Laguna 13, Foothill 3
Goals: 5 – M Fischer, A Fischer, 1 – Baldridge, Evans, Julson
Assists: 3 – Baldridge, 2 – M Fischer, Selin, 1 – Salvini, Lucidi, Evans, Burnes
Steals: 3 – Baldridge, 2 – Salvini, A Fischer, Selin, 1 – Lucas, M Fischer, Parker
Earlier in the day Laguna defeated Newport Harbor 7-3 in the semifinal game at the Newport pool. UCLA-bound senior and Newport keeper Carlee Kapana was the reason for Laguna’s tough outing as the senior recorded 14 saves in the first three periods keeping the Sailors close. Aria Fischer scored on the opening possession of the fourth period to make it 4-1 and sister Makenzie added a fifth off a sweep after a pass from Haley Evans and it was 5-1 in less than a minute of play. The two teams traded goals but the outcome was never in doubt as the Breakers now have won six straight from the Tars, but trail the all-time series 10-7
Laguna 7, Newport 3
Goals: 5 – M Fischer, 2 – A Fischer
Assists: 2– Baldridge, 1 – Evans, M Fischer, Julson, Salvini, Burnes
Steals: 3 – Evans, 2 – Salvini, 1 – Baldridge, A Fischer, M Fischer, Parker, Selin
Saves: 15 – Parker
Friday Games:
Laguna 25, Rancho Bernardo 0 : Breakers set a school record for margin of victory in recording their seventh shutout in the program history. Holly Parker had 14 saves while seven Laguna players scored two or more goals led by Aria Fischer with six.
Laguna 15, Santa Margarita 4: The OC # 9 Eagles (6-4) were no match for the Breakers as Laguna scored quickly and limited the Eagles to a single shot as they trailed Laguna 7-0 after one period. The Breakers controlled the tempo the entire contest and Santa Margarita struggled to compete against Laguna’s smothering defense.
Goals: 5 – M Fischer, 3 – Evans, 2 – Baldridge, 1 – Burnes, A Fischer, Julson, Lucas, Salvini
Assists: 2 – A Fischer, M Fischer, 1 – Baldridge, Parker, Salvini
Steals: 4 – Baldridge, 2 – M Fischer, 1 – A Fischer, Julson, Lucas, Salvini, Selin, Tingler
Saves: 6 – Parker
This week Laguna traveled to Foothill this past Thursday for a non-league match and will open league play on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Costa Mesa. Breakers travel to Santa Barbara the following day for a non-league match with Dos Pueblos then will defend their Santa Barbara TOC title Jan. 16-17.
