Laguna Beach dominates

Playing its first game at home since repeating as CIF Southern Section Division 1 champion, the top-ranked Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo team powered its way Tuesday to a 21-3 nonleague victory over Edison.

Laguna ran up a 15-0 lead by halftime in running its record to 2-0. Nine Breakers reached the scoring column.

“The girls came out and played really fast and really sharp,” Laguna Coach Ethan Damato said. “I was very pleased with our activity on both ends of the pool and the rhythm we played with. Overall, a great effort by all the girls.”

Junior left-handed attacker Bella Baldridge paced the scoring with four goals. Senior attacker Natalie Selin, senior utility Mia Salvini (two steals), sophomore utility Isabel Riches and sophomore attacker Evan Tingler each had three goals. Freshman attacker Sophie Legget scored twice and senior attacker Haley Evans, senior defender Ally Jochim and junior attacker Angelique Begay each scored once.

Legget also had four assists and four steals, Baldridge (two steals) and sophomore attacker Sophia Lucas two assists each, and senior goalie Holly Parker had eight saves and an assist.

The Breakers also won big in their season opener Dec. 3 in Fullerton. They limited host Rosary to single goals in the first three quarters and shut out the Royals in the fourth quarter, and posted a 19-3 win.

Legget and Lucas tied for scoring honors with four goals apiece. Baldridge and Selin both scored three goals, and Evans scored twice. Parker had nine saves and three assists.

“It was great to officially get our first game of the year in the books,” Damato said. “The girls played very well on both ends of the pool. A lot of things to improve on, but a very solid effort in all areas.”

The Breakers’ next game is Tuesday. They’ll play host to Los Alamitos (No. 10, CIF-SS Division 1) at 6:15 p.m. at Capistrano Valley High.

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Boys’ Soccer

The Breakers traveled Wednesday to El Toro to take on the No. 3-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 1, and battled the Chargers to a scoreless tie.

“I’m very proud and happy with the boys after this performance,” Laguna Coach Dan Richards said. “We always knew our nonleague schedule was stacked with really strong opposition and we know we have the ability to compete with anyone on our day.

“The boys work-rate and effort, coupled with their organization, was the key to this game and shows that when they dig deep for each other we are a tough match up for any team. All the boys played extremely well tonight. Charlie [Warner, senior defender/midfielder] had a great game and started to find his form from last season, and Logan [Eastman, senior defender] looked dangerous going forward despite a slight injury.”

“For Laguna Beach to go on the road and get a tie against the current No. 3-ranked Division 1 team in CIF-SS, is a great achievement and shows how far our program has come in the last few years.”

Wednesday’s draw was the second-straight tie game for Laguna (1-0-2) which went to Dana Hills Dec. 4 and played the Dolphins to a 1-1 tie. Junior forward/midfielder Bruce Knill scored off an assist from Eastman in the opening half which led to a 1-0 lead for the Breakers at the break.

The Dolphins scored late in the second half to earn the tie.

“Although we didn’t play well and I’m sure Dana will feel like they had the better of the game, it is still disappointing to let a goal in with less than two minutes to go,” Richards said. “Logan [Eastman] had a very good performance and did a great job creating the chance for Bruce [Knill] which he took very well.

“It is still very early in the season and we have been trying out a few different formations and player combinations, so it’s understandable that we haven’t found our stride yet. Despite us not playing anywhere near the level we know we are capable of, to get a win (Beckman, Dec. 2) and a tie in our opening two matches is not a bad start, especially as they have been against teams in higher divisions than us.”

The Breakers are back in action at 6 p.m. Friday for a nonleague game at Aliso Niguel. They play host to Mission Viejo Wednesday at Guyer Field, in a 6:30 p.m. nonleague matchup.

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Girls’ Soccer

In a Tuesday nonleague match on their home turf at Guyer Field, the Breakers suffered a 2-0 loss to JSerra after the Lions posted their goals with under 10 minutes left in the match.

Laguna senior goalie Kara Dunne-Dombrink registered 12 saves and played “a great match as keeper,” Laguna Coach Bill Rolfing said.

“JSerra was a strong team with size,” Rolfing said. “Their ability to draw players allowed them strength and size. We were able to hold it (0-0) with 10 minutes remaining, but two late goals resulted in the loss. Defense was outstanding, again.”

The Breakers, who opened the season with a preseason No. 7 ranking in CIF-SS Division 5, began play Saturday at the 33rd annual Ocean View Tournament and split two games. They dropped their opener, 4-0, to Simi Valley Royal (No. 5, CIF-SS Div. 4), but bounced back to shut down Santa Monica St. Monica, 5-0.

Laguna goals were scored by sophomore midfielder Haylee Jarvis, sophomore forward Shea Skenderian, junior defender Emily Addis, freshman forward Blake Turner, and freshman defender Kerin Onodero.

The Breakers resume play Saturday at the Ocean View Winter Classic, and will take on host Ocean View at 1:20 p.m.. The tournament concludes Monday. They also will host Ocean View in a 6:15 p.m. nonleague game Thursday at Guyer Field.

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CIF Weekly Rankings

(released Monday)

Girls’ Water Polo: No. 1, Division 1.

Girls’ Soccer: Tie-No. 10, Division 5.