Laguna Beach girls’ water polo tops CdM, takes fifth in CIF Division 1 playoffs

The Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo team will roll into next week’s CIF Southern California Regional tournament riding high on confidence following a convincing 9-4 win at Corona del Mar to close out the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs on Thursday.

The No. 2-seeded Breakers beat No. 4 CdM in the fifth-place match behind a stellar performance from senior goalkeeper Thea Walsh.

Walsh, a Stanford commit, blocked a dozen shots and was critical in setting up her team’s devastating counterattack.

“In my opinion, she’s the best goalie in the country,” Laguna Beach coach Ethan Damato said. “I think she’s proven that over her four years. We run all of our defense knowing that she can make saves and also lead our counterattack. She was great tonight, but we’re not surprised. She’s always good.”

The Breakers and Sea Kings will most likely be in the CIF SoCal Regional Division II tournament, which will open with games at CdM and Segerstrom High on March 2. The semifinals and finals will be at CdM on March 3. The brackets will be released on Sunday.

Laguna Beach (23-3) picked up momentum instantly against CdM, finding the scoreboard just 40 seconds into the contest.

Walsh blocked a shot from CdM’s Megan Peterson on the opening possession, and then fired a pass across the pool to fellow senior Evan Tingler, who was breaking away toward the net. Tingler bounced a penalty shot into the net moments later to give Laguna Beach the first of four first-quarter goals.

A goal from Alex Peros two minutes later, one of three on the night, stretched the lead to 2-0 before Peterson found the net for the Sea Kings.

The second quarter spelled more trouble for CdM (22-5), as the Breakers rattled off another pair of quick goals to stretch the lead. The first came at the 5:51 mark, as Walsh turned another blocked shot into a breakaway. This time, senior Sophia Lucas went untouched across the pool before bouncing the ball past goalkeeper Erin Tharp.

As the final minute of the third quarter approached, CdM displayed life offensively to set up an intriguing fourth. Carter Britt found the net for the Sea Kings to close the gap to 7-3, and a block from Tharp, her fourth of the quarter, prevented the deficit from growing.

An early fourth-quarter goal from Chloe Harbilas cut the lead down to three, appearing to tilt momentum in CdM’s favor for the first time.

Thirty seconds later, Laguna Beach answered back with a crushing blow.

Out of a CdM exclusion, Tingler swung the ball out to Alana Evans. The senior flipped a pass back Tingler, who scored with ease from the front of the net to give Laguna Beach an 8-4 lead.

Lucas scored off the counter less than a minute later to put the game away.

“We have a mix between experience and youth on this team,” CdM coach Justin Papa said. “The older girls have done a great job of lifting us up, but there’s something about being under the lights, 6 p.m. at CdM in a playoff game. I feel like if we come out a little more mentally sharp and ready for those moments, we’ll be all right. It’s a good learning experience and I’m really proud of how we played in CIF.”

The CIF SoCal Regional tournament will present a bittersweet moment for a senior-laden Breakers squad, as a veteran core prepares to say goodbye to a memorable run together.

Fresh off an emotional win, Walsh is looking to cherish the remainder of the brief time left with her Laguna Beach teammates.

“I just want to be with my team,” Walsh said. “It’s sad that I’m not going to play with this same team again. I just want to take that all in and be with them for however much longer we have. Just be together.”

JOSH CRISWELL is a contributor to Times Community News. Follow him on Twitter: @joshccriswell