Foothill Gearing Up After Setback

Santa Ana Foothill is looking forward to another successful run in the Southern Section playoffs, albeit from a different perspective.

The Knights have been atop the Division I rankings for nearly two seasons, but a loss to Santa Margarita last weekend in the semifinals of the Southern California Invitational will almost certainly drop them behind the Eagles and into the second-seeded slot when the playoff pairings are announced Monday.

That won’t come as a surprise to Foothill coaches and players, who will be seeking a third consecutive Division I title when the tournament begins Thurs- day.

“It’s good to play from the back seat,” Co-Coach Dan Klatt said. “That way, we can’t take anything for granted.”

The Knights plan to be more humble than they were a year ago, when they edged Santa Margarita, 7-6, in overtime to win the section championship.

That victory came only three weeks after Foothill blasted Santa Margarita, 11-1, in the semifinals of the Southern California Invitational.

Foothill junior Gabbie Domanic said the loss to Santa Margarita served as a wake-up call; something the Knights could use heading into the playoffs.

Domanic said the Knights didn’t take advantage of their strengths against a bigger Santa Margarita team. They were slow on the counterattack, hesitant to drive to the goal and didn’t communicate well.

“The shortest player on Santa Margarita is like 5-9, so we have to play smart,” Domanic said. “As long as we play as a team, we can step up any day.”

Dave Mikesell, Foothill’s other co-coach, said the loss to Santa Margarita has already provided his team a lift.

“[Monday’s] was one of the best practices we’ve had all season,” Mikesell said. On Tuesday, the Knights defeated Anaheim Canyon, 14-1, to win their third consecutive Century League title.

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Here today, gone tomorrow: Chris Carlson abruptly resigned as girls’ and boys’ water polo coach at Etiwanda earlier this week, citing “a complete difference of philosophy with the administration and with the way things are going to be done.”

Carlson wouldn’t go into specifics, referring the matter to Vice Principal Todd Haag, who would only confirm Carlson’s resignation.

“It was a difficult decision for him and a personal decision for him,” Haag said. “Our athletes who are involved are concerned and emotional.”

The Eagles were leading the Mt. Baldy League at the time of Carlson’s resignation and ranked No. 7 in Division V.

“The focus should be on the kids and how hard they work,” said Carlson, who has coached water polo and taught at Etiwanda for six years.

The boys’ team has won four consecutive league titles under Carlson.

The girls’ team (20-6, 10-0) won its fourth title in five years with a 5-3 victory over Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday.

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Strong play: Goalkeeper Meridith McColl of Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley had an impressive week.

She stopped 17 shots Monday in a 5-4 loss to No. 4 El Toro, then turned away 20 shots in an 8-6 victory Tuesday over No. 9 Long Beach Wilson.

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Dan Arritt