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SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Mt. SAC, Walnut
Live stream: NFHS Network
DIVISION 1
SAN CLEMENTE (22-8) VS. FOOTHILL (20-11), 1 p.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Tritons return to the Division 1 final after falling last season in the championship to Laguna Beach 10-9 on a penalty shot in sudden-death overtime. No. 2 seeded Foothill is 3-0 against San Clemente this season with a composite score of 32-17. In the final OCVarsity rankings on Feb. 11, Foothill was ranked fourth and San Clemente sixth.
Foothill, guided by coach Paden Mitchell, is competing for the first time below the Southern Section’s premier playoff division. A six-time section champion, the Knights are seeking their first title since 2007.
San Clemente, led by coach Logan Powell, is seeking its first title since 2011.
Foothill is powered by a trio of college committed seniors: attacker Ava Rowe (UC Irvine), left-hander Victoria Cordero (USC) and goalie Emma Perrigo (Brown).
The Tritons return four starters from their squad last season. Like Foothill, they’re a well-balanced unit. Center Adley Dawson and goalie Terra Lindberg are juniors to watch.
OPEN DIVISION
OAKS CHRISTIAN (25-6) VS. MATER DEI (28-2), 4 p.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Monarchs and coach Chris Segesman have reached their first final since a runner-up finish to an undefeated Orange Lutheran team in the Open Division in 2024.
Seeking its first section crown, Mater Dei faces the reigning Open Division champion that seems to be peaking like last season. Oaks Christian and coach Jack Kocur are again the No. 3 seed. Last winter, the Lions were third when they defeated Newport Harbor 7-5 to become the first team outside of Orange County to claim the Open Division crown.
In the semifinals, Oaks Christian again showcased its defense with a 12-9 win against Newport Harbor, which was ranked No. 1 in Orange County.
Mater Dei counters with a 2-1 record against Oaks Christian and a collection of strong perimeter shooters.
The Monarchs fell 11-7 at Oaks Christian on Jan. 3 but beat the Lions in the finals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions and in the semifinals of the Newport Invite.
The Monarchs dropped to No. 2 in the county after falling to Newport Harbor 12-6 in the championship of the Newport Invite but haven’t loss since.
Both teams have strong goalies. Mater Dei features Sienna Sorensen (USC commit) while Oaks Christian counters with Alex Stoddard (Princeton commit).
Both teams also feature attackers committed to Stanford. Kirra Pantaleon leads Mater Dei’s perimeter attack while Oaks Christian is paced by Mia Fabros.