Girls water polo: CdM is back

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - Hard times came to the Corona del Mar High girls

water polo team in the early weeks of the new year. The Sea Kings were

struck with the flu bug, bounced out of the Orange County rankings and

hit a low point with a 7-4 loss to Santa Margarita on Jan. 20.

But, with one game and the reemergence of sophomore Christina Hewko,

the Sea Kings exploded back onto the scene, and then some.

After a 1-0 deficit, CdM outscored University, 8-0, including five

straight goals by Hewko during the third and fourth quarters that led to

a 9-1 win over the Pacific Coast League-leading Trojans Wednesday in the

Sea Kings’ pool.

CdM (11-9, 3-1 in league) has now created a three-way jam for first

place in the PCL, with Uni (10-10, 3-1) and Laguna Beach, ranked No. 8 in

Orange County. With a victory in the league finale Wednesday at Costa

Mesa, CdM will earn at least a share of its second straight league crown.

“We’re back,” Sea Kings Coach John Vargas said. “And, we’ll get tested

this weekend in the Irvine tournament.”

Hewko began the second half playing at the two-meter position and she

thrived, thanks to the Sea Kings’ defense.

Uni finished with 18 turnovers, 15 because of Sea King steals. Hewko

collected four steals, while sophomores Daniela DiGiacomo, Danielle

Carlson (one goal), as well as juniors Jessica Fries and Lauren Guthrie,

snagged two each.

“I thought all the girls did well,” Vargas said. “We held them to one

goal; that’s the whole team playing defense.”

CdM, protecting a 2-1 lead at halftime, continued to frustrate the

Trojans with a fast-paced defense anchored by goalie Jessica Wells, who

had five saves.

Forty-six seconds into the third period, Hewko made a steal and threw

the ball out to Fries, who scored easily on the breakaway.

Then, in a span of 2:33, Hewko scored three goals. After stealing

another Uni pass she set up near the cage and flung a backhand shot with

two Trojan defenders draped on her.

Less than a minute later, Hewko found good position, took a pass from

Guthrie and quickly scored. And, she connected from about four meters out

after taking another pass from Guthrie with 42 seconds remaining in the

third.

After nearly two weeks of suffering with the flu, Hewko recovered on

Jan. 24.

“Was that amazing?” Vargas said of Hewko. “She did a great job.”

Hewko opened the fourth quarter with two goals, the second ofwhich

caromed off the crossbar and floated into the cage for an 8-1 lead.

Daley scored her second of two goals when she heaved a shot from about

10 meters out with less than a second remaining.

“Finally,” Vargas said of practicing with a full team after training

with half a squad because of the flu. “We’re getting there. Just in the

nick of time with CIF playoffs coming.”

CdM will return to action in the Irvine tournament, which runs today

through Saturday and features the best teams in Southern California. The

Sea Kings will host Canyon, today at 4 p.m.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Corona del Mar 9, University 1

University 1 0 0 0 - 1

Corona del Mar 1 1 4 3 - 9

University - Canby 1.

Saves - Mayer 7.

Corona del Mar - Hewko 5, Daley 2, Carlson 1, Fries 1.

Saves - Wells 5.