Laguna downs Corona del Mar

The Laguna Beach Water Polo Age Group girls’ 14-and-under team began its fall season last weekend by competing in a tournament before taking on Corona del Mar.

Laguna’s 14-U team played “up” Saturday, as it entered the 18-and-Under tournament Saturday at Santa Ana High. The squad was part of a field that included high school teams from Aliso Niguel, Dana Hills and Laguna Beach, and Elite Water Polo Club.

In Sunday’s action:

14-and-Under Division

Laguna 9, Corona del Mar 2

In true age-group play, Laguna bolted to a 7-0 lead and cruised past Corona del Mar at the Laguna Beach High pool.

The scoring began when Masson found a streaking Andersen who scored to make it 1-0. Two minutes later, Masson found the net and with under a minute left in the opening quarter, Schroeder scored to make it 3-0. Manetta came up with one save in the first quarter.

Masson scored again at the outset of the second quarter, followed by goals by Lawson and Waidley which upped the advantage to 6-0. Schroeder scored early in the third period before Corona del Mar cracked the scoreboard.

Holechek and Lawson scored the final two goals for Laguna. The efforts of Hampton and Emily Rubino in the second half set up several offensive opportunities for Laguna.

Laguna will participate in the Speedo Cup Qualifying Tournament Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, at the Laguna Beach High pool.

In Saturday’s tournament play:

Laguna 9, Aliso Niguel 0

Laguna brought its “A” game to the match and earned a shutout victory.

Two goals by Kelsey Thorton and one each by Yoshi Andersen and Jessie Holechek, gave Laguna a 4-0 lead after one quarter. Jessica Shusko scored twice in the second quarter, off feeds from Riley Duncan and Melina Masson, to make it 6-0 at the half.

Laguna goalie Edy Manetta protected that lead with four big blocks in the third quarter. Masson scored off a flip pass from Candyce Schroeder, Schroeder went on to score on a back-handed shot off a spin move and then Masson finished the scoring with her second goal of the match.

Manetta recorded three more saves in the fourth quarter and the defense of Duncan, Kaitlyn Waidley and Hannah Lawson, prevented Aliso Niguel from scoring.

Other scores:

Laguna Beach High 14, Laguna Club 7

Elite Club 7, Laguna 2