Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
The names dotting Laguna Beach’s starting lineup Friday weren’t as familiar as last season but their understanding of movement and skill leaped from the pool to be recognized.
The Breakers’ girls water polo team used cross passing, mobility on defense and positioning in transition to defeat Sunny Hills 14-8 in a CIF-SS Division 1 first round match at El Toro High.
Laguna Beach, the reigning Division 1 champion, features two returning starters and no starters committed to colleges. Yet, the Breakers (18-11) led arguably the best team in Sunny Hills’ history by as many as seven goals in the fourth quarter.
“This is just a different neighborhood,” veteran Sunny Hills co-coach Keith Nighswonger said. “And boy, I don’t think this is Laguna’s best team either. … They’re pretty good, though. I was very impressed. They moved well.”
Laguna Beach, an eight-time section champion that has produced three Olympic gold medalists, advanced to face Foothill — another storied girls program — in the quarterfinals Thursday at El Toro.
The Breakers grabbed the lead for good late in the first period on a counterattack strike by left-hander Maeve Mani. The sophomore scored off a long cross pass from junior and returning starter Liv Taub.
Mani, Laguna Beach’s first player off the bench, added another counterattack goal 27 seconds later for a 4-2 lead after the first period.
The Breakers built their lead against Sunny Hills (23-6) on both ends of the pool.
Freshman center Resi Leverty fired in a backhanded shot for a goal.
Elsie Huston, a 6-foot junior, guarded center, drew three exclusions at 2 meters and flashed a strong arm in the fourth period with two perimeter goals.
And senior Brooke Schneider, another returning starter, sparked Laguna Beach’s strong defense in the third quarter with one of her four steals.
“We’re figuring it out,” third-year Laguna Beach coach Katie Teets said. “This season, from our starting point to now, we’ve really taken some big steps. I’m glad we’re finding the groove together.”
“The experience of Brooke Schneider,” the coach added, “sets the anchor. There was a big spark and increase of intensity in this last week of practice and then it spilled over into this game.”
Huston paced Laguna Beach with four goals while Mani had three goals and five assists. Schneider, Leverty and Daniela Suh each had two goals while Rosie Rogers added four assists.
Laguna Beach’s positioning helped earn 11 power-play chances to put Sunny Hills into foul trouble. The Breakers went 3 for 11 with the extra attacker.
On defense, Laguna Beach rotated well against Sunny Hills’ double-post attack. The Lancers went 3 for 4 with the extra attacker.
Laguna Beach first-year starting goalie Aurea Niederberger tallied five saves and two steals in her duel against Willow Morrell (six saves).
Sunny Hills found most of its success on outside shots, including a few lobs. Senior Hailey Yoo scored a team-high four goals while Mia Hernandez added two.
“We were a Division 5 team (in 2018),” said Nighswonger, the county coach of the year that season. “We are without a doubt the best Sunny Hills team we’ve ever had.”
Foothill, the No. 2 seed in Division 1, and Laguna Beach will play for the first time this season.
In other Division 1 matches Friday:
Foothill 13, Buena 6: Gianna Romero and Ava Rowe each scored four goals and Emma Perrrigo made nine saves to lead the host Knights.
San Clemente 14, Huntington Beach 6: Adley Dawson and Hazel Thrash each scored four goals and Jane Fischer had six assists to lead the top-seeded Tritons at Capistrano Valley. San Clemente faces Santiago of Corona in the quarterfinals.
Beckman 19, Alta Loma 5: Freshman Natalie Arata had six goals and three steals and sophomore Jayden Miyamoto had three goals and three assists to lead the host Patriots. Beckman plays Harvard-Westlake in the quarterfinals.