Breakers still red-hot
It’s becoming a habit, winning this Holiday Cup.
So has winning, in general, for the Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo team.
The Breakers reclaimed supremacy at the Holiday Cup by winning four games to earn the championship for a third consecutive year. The top-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 1 concluded its impressive tourney run by rolling past second-ranked Foothill, 10-4, in the title game Dec. 30 at Newport Harbor High.
Junior left-handed attacker Bella Baldridge and freshman attacker Sophie Legget both scored three goals to lead all scorers. Senior attacker Natalie Selin scored twice, and senior attacker Haley Evans and sophomore attacker Evan Tingler both scored once.
Senior goalie Holly Parker recorded eight saves to go with three steals.
“We had a great first half and jumped on them, and never looked back,” Laguna Coach Ethan Damato said. “Holly [Parker] was great in the cage and we got first-half goals from Legget, Tingler, Selin, Evans and Baldridge.”
In a tournament semifinal Dec. 30, the Breakers were outstanding defensively against fifth-ranked Corona del Mar and pinned a 7-0 shutout on the Sea Kings. Evans scored twice and Baldridge (three assists), Selin (two assists), Legget, senior utility Mia Salvini and senior center Keira Dailey all scored once. Parker’s big game resulted in 11 saves and a steal.
“Holly [Parker] was spectacular in the cage and our defense did a great job,” Damato said.
Laguna opened the tournament with two games Dec. 29. First, the Breakers powered past San Diego Rancho Bernardo, 22-1. Selin and Legget leading the way with four goals each, Baldridge (one goal) had six assists, and Parker and sophomore goalie Thea Walsh each with seven saves. Their second win was a 10-5 triumph over eighth-ranked Mater Dei. Baldridge and Legget both scored three goals and Parker had seven saves.
The Breakers outscored the Monarchs, 5-1, in the second quarter to go in front, 6-2, at the half.
Damato said Parker was “our MVP” for the tournament.
No all-tournament team was selected.
“I was really proud of the way the girls progressed throughout the weekend,” Damato said. “We had three really tough games, drawing a very good Mater Dei team in the quarters. I thought we got better every game and saved our best game for the final.
“This is a really tough group of girls that are playing inspired team defense. We are still very much a work in progress but no doubt made great strides this last week.”
The four victories put Laguna at 9-0, and extended the program’s Orange County-record winning streak to 61.
For the past two years, teams have needed to get through Laguna to win any major girls’ water polo event, tournament-wise or a Southern Section Division 1 title. The Breakers still are a marked team.
“I think we are still getting used to having that target on our backs as this year’s teams finds its identity,” Damato said. “It’s very stressful knowing you’re going to get everyone’s best and you need to be on your game at all times. At the same time, it’s a lot of fun knowing we need to be on our game and we accept the challenge. So far, we have handled those tests extremely well and show a ton of grit and heart in some big wins.
“The schedule is full of more challenges. We will need to continue to improve and stay hungry to be where we want to be. We are a tough group both mentally and physically. These girls are extremely competitive and do not back down from a challenge.”
The Breakers faced another big challenge Thursday when they played at Foothill. The score wasn’t available at press time.
“They will be fired up, no question, but so will we,” Damato said Tuesday. “Foothill versus Laguna, that gets me fired up just thinking about it.”
The Breakers begin their Orange Coast League title defense next Wednesday when they face Godinez at 3:15 p.m. at Santa Ana Valley High. The following day, they are in Goleta to take on Dos Pueblos Thursday in nonleague play. Then, it’s on to Santa Barbara for the annual Tournament of Champions, a tourney title they also have won the past two years.
The Tournament of Champions runs through Jan. 16.
