Solid Defense Gets the Job Done for Villa Park

Coach John Karcich tinkered with his defensive game plan and it paid dividends as Villa Park shut down Canyon to win its Century League opener, 4-1, in girls’ water polo Tuesday at Canyon High.

Camie French scored two goals to lead a sluggish offense for Villa Park (15-4, 1-0), ranked seventh in Orange County. Goalie Brandie Seligman had four saves to anchor a defense that frustrated No. 10 Canyon (10-5, 0-1).

“That was a little sloppy, wasn’t it?” Karcich said. “We’re not very sharp offensively right now. But this is a real solid defensive team.”

Canyon took 21 shots, but managed only a goal by Christine McDonald with 55 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

When Villa Park edged Canyon in the Villa Park tournament, 7-5, Karcich said his team played a collapsing-style defense. Tuesday, the Spartans pressured the Comanches and Canyon never adjusted.

Canyon took only three shots in the first 12 1/2 minutes, falling behind, 2-0, when Kristyn Pulver scored from two meters with 4:15 remaining in the first half. French scored her second goal with 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter to make it, 3-1.

Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Danielle Bourret scored off an assist from Pulver to convert a six-on-five situation.

Sarah Gilbertson tried to rally Canyon in the fourth quarter, but two of her four shots in the quarter hit the crossbar.