Newport Harbor Girls Beat No. 2 Irvine in Water Polo

The Sea View League girls’ water polo showdown turned into a lopsided affair, but Newport Harbor provided a twist.

Newport Harbor, the sixth-ranked team in the county, put second-ranked Irvine on the defensive from the outset and posted a convincing, 8-4, victory Wednesday at Newport Harbor.

Kyndra Cox and Autumn Milliken each scored three goals for Newport Harbor (13-5, 4-0 in league), which clinched at least a share of the league title. Irvine (13-4, 3-1) is the defending league champion.

“We put all our eggs in one basket and focused on this game for two weeks,” said Newport Harbor co-Coach Brian Kreutzkamp. “But the difference today was Kyndra Cox.

“She hasn’t played like that all year. She’s only a sophomore, but today, she came out and played with no fear.”

The Sailors played with intensity early, taking a 3-0 lead in the first 4 1/2 minutes on goals by Milliken, Alden Moore, who finished with two goals, and Cox.

Newport Harbor’s offense clicked throughout the game, converting on three of five six-on-five situations.

“They put the ball in the cage and we didn’t,” Irvine Coach Scott Hinman said. “We passed poorly, but we got great position and some good shots.”

Five Irvine shots hit the crossbar or goal posts. Although the Vaqueros pulled within 5-3, when Erin Lezak (two goals) scored from two meters with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter, they went scoreless for the next 10 1/2 minutes.

Cox scored on a six-on-five with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter, then Milliken pushed Newport Harbor’s lead to 7-3 midway through the fourth quarter.