Foothill Wins in Sudden Death

The Santa Ana Foothill girls’ water polo team proved it’s still the best in the Southland, even though it took longer than usual on Saturday.

Foothill, ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times, needed one overtime and three sudden-death periods to defeat No. 2 Newport Harbor, 10-9, in the championship game of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions at UC Santa Barbara.

Brittany Hayes, the tournament most valuable player, tied the score late in regulation, then scored the game-winner with 1 minute 47 seconds remaining in the final three-minute sudden-death period. Hayes, who scored a team-high six goals, scored the winning goal after drawing an ejection inside the two-meter position. Newport Harbor couldn’t get a replacement defender in time, and Lauren Miller passed the ball back to the unguarded Hayes, who scored easily.

Newport Harbor (15-3) led, 4-1, after the opening quarter and 6-5 at halftime.

The Sailors extended their lead to 8-5 at the start of the fourth quarter, despite losing starter Raelyn Ritchie, who fouled out.

Newport Harbor’s Jessica Ball then fouled out in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knights to further tighten their defense.

After going without a goal in the third quarter, Foothill (17-0) held Newport Harbor scoreless in the fourth. Foothill goalkeeper Emily Feher was key to the defensive effort, stopping six shots in the final quarter of regulation.

“I think the biggest catalyst [in the comeback] was Emily Feher,” Foothill co-Coach Dave Mikesell said. “And Brittany Hayes had one of the best games I’ve seen.”

Jenna Murphy scored four goals and Annie Wight had three to lead Newport Harbor.

Foothill reached the final by defeating No. 4 Santa Margarita, 5-3. Newport Harbor defeated cross-town rival Corona del Mar, 9-4, in the other semifinal.

-- Dan Arritt