Marina Is Too Tough for Wilson

Marina unexpectedly rumbled past top-seeded and previously unbeaten Long Beach Wilson, 7-3, in the Division I final at the Southern Section girls’ water polo championships Monday at Belmont Plaza.

Senior goalie Candice Chick made eight saves to anchor a tough defense for second-seeded Marina (23-5).

“We picked the wrong night to have a bad shooting game,” said Wilson Coach Ricardo Azevedo, whose team finished 27-1. “We usually shoot about 80%. Tonight, I don’t know if we shot 10%. But give Marina the credit, they executed very well.”

Cara Chlebicki scored two goals--both on four-meter penalty shots--to lead Marina’s balanced attack.

In Division II, Cassie Nichols scored eight goals to lead top-seeded Santa Barbara past fourth-seeded Lompoc Cabrillo, 17-8. Sophomore Thalia Munro had four goals for Santa Barbara (25-1), which lost only to Marina this season.

Elaine Zivich scored five goals for Cabrillo (24-3).

In Division III, Julia Wald, Natalie Golda and Kelly McNeley each scored two goals to help Anaheim Rosary defeat Irvine University, 7-4.

McNeley also spearheaded a strong defensive effort for Rosary (23-5), helping to shut down Erin Hayes of University (21-10), who entered the game with 98 goals. Hayes scored only one goal.