Laguna’s girls water polo team played six games last week over a grueling four-day period, including a weekend tournament at Santa Barbara High School.
Dos Pueblos 10, Laguna 7
Laguna’s top sports team stumbled this past week and ended their great 63-game win streak at Dos Pueblos on Thursday, Jan. 14, and ultimately came in third in the tournament overall.
The Chargers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on their first possession and added a second goal a minute later to go up 2-0. Laguna had their shots, but could not convert as DP seemed to score on every attempt. Breakers made a run in the third period to close the gap to one goal at 7-8. Laguna finished the period with three straight possessions and a chance to tie but could not convert. Laguna won the sprint to open the fourth period and gained a power play opportunity but again could not find the cage with their shot attempt.
Laguna 7, Santa Margarita 2
Still struggling offensively, Laguna defeated the Eagles to open their tournament play Friday, Jan. 15. Bella Baldridge got the Breakers on track with two goals to open the second period with Sophie Leggett adding a score to take a 3-1 lead into the intermission.
Laguna 7, Santa Barbara 6
Laguna actually dominated the contest and led 7-3 entering the final three minutes of the game Friday, Jan. 15. The Dons converted three goals including a five-meter penalty gift to give the appearance of a close game. Bella Baldridge scored three goals and dished out three assists while Natalie Selin added two scores, two assists, and two steals.
Orange Lutheran 8, Laguna 7
Breakers struggled with bad luck and freak plays to lose their first tournament game in three years Saturday, Jan. 16. The Lancers led 1-0 after one period as Laguna failed to score on four shots in eight possessions. Lancers led 4-1 at one point in the second period as they gained a goal on an open net as goalie Holly Parker was called for an unusual exclusion. Haley Evans cut the lead to 4-2 on a power play just before the half. Laguna cut the lead to one three times in the third period, but the Lancers added one each time on their next possession. Breakers had three tries in the fourth period to tie the game but could not score.
Laguna 10, San Marcos 3
Laguna snapped out of their malaise to defeat the third-ranked Royals (14-2) Saturday, Jan. 16. San Marcos was no match as Laguna dominated the entire contest and Holly Parker was stellar in the cage. Breakers were up 9-1 early in the third period and coasted to the finish.
Laguna 23, Godinez 0
Earlier in the week, Laguna methodically rolled the Grizzlies (8-8) Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Santa Ana Valley High School to record the program’s ninth all-time shutout. Thirteen players scored led by Keira Dailey’s four goals.
SSCIF D-1 Poll for Jan 19: 1 – Orange Lutheran, 2 – Laguna Beach, 3 – Foothill, 4 – San Marcos, 5 – Dos Pueblos, 6 – Corona del Mar, 7 – Santa Barbara, 8 – Mater Dei, 9 – Newport Harbor, 10 – Los Alamitos.
Laguna plays at Corona del Mar this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. The next major in-season tournament is the So Cal at Irvine’s Woollett Center Feb. 4-6. All top teams except Orange Lutheran (17-3) are participating. The girls water polo CIF semifinals and finals will also be held at the Woollett Center.
Statistical Leaders after 16 games:
Goals: 41 – Sophie Leggett, 39 – Bella Baldridge, 27 – Natalie Selin
Assists: 37 – Bella Baldridge, 20 – Haley Evans, 17 – Evan Tingler
Steals: 21 – Baldridge, 16 – Leggett, 15 – Selin
Saves: Parker 123, Walsh 41
