Artists’ Defense Stops University

As the final seconds ran off the clock, Laguna Beach senior Teresa Codini counted the ticks.

“Just 54 more seconds,” she remembered thinking as her team nursed a two-goal lead in the final minute. “Two more possessions; we just had to hold on.”

And the Artists did, beating second-seeded University, 6-4, for the Southern Section Division IV girls’ water polo championship Monday at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

Codini had three first-half goals, giving her 105 for the season, and two assists, both in the second half, and sophomore goalie Angelina Moore had 14 saves to anchor a solid defensive effort that paved the way to the first title for fourth-seeded Laguna Beach (24-6).

Codini’s sister Tina had two steals, delivering solid two-meter defense, and Moore made four saves in the final 2 minutes 48 seconds to seal the victory.

“She showed incredible composure for a sophomore,” Laguna Beach Coach Rick Scott said.

Laguna Beach, University (16-15) and Corona del Mar finished in a three-way tie for the Pacific Coast League championship. The Trojans beat the Artists, 8-7, in their league game.

Monday, the Trojans couldn’t muster enough offense for a repeat performance. Katie Trefz, Julie Voorhees, Katie Gottbreht and goalie Tiffany Mayer--who scored on a mid-pool shot that deflected off Laguna Beach’s Laura Case--had the only goals for University.

“It’s tough to beat a team twice,” University Coach Mike Reid said. “And Laguna beat [top-seeded] Corona del Mar three times, so that tells you something about them.”

University trailed by one at halftime and held Laguna Beach’s second-leading scorer, two-meter player Case, scoreless. But Case scored twice in the third quarter, and Teresa Codini’s assist on Tracy Hardman’s goal with four seconds left in the quarter gave Laguna Beach a 6-3 lead.