CdM counters with win

CORONA DEL MAR — The Corona del Mar High girls’ water polo team thrives on its counterattacks, but it’s hard to start them when your opponent keeps dumping the ball as the shot clock expires.

In the third quarter on Tuesday, the Sea Kings began to force the issue.

Steals led to open shots and easy goals, leading Corona del Mar to an 8-3 nonleague win over Long Beach Wilson at CdM.

“They kind of killed our counter in the first half,” Sea Kings Coach Aaron Chaney said. “But in the third quarter, we got counters because we got steals. It’s not only watching your man, but just watching the ball. That can help you move up in the passing lanes and start a counter.”

After holding a tenuous 3-2 halftime lead, the Sea Kings (2-0) used third-quarter goals from Cari Levine, Leilani Livingston and Sarah Hutchison to extend it to 6-3 headed into the fourth quarter.

CdM cruised from there, with Livingston scoring her third goal with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring against Wilson (1-1).

Corona del Mar’s counterattack production was best illustrated on Hutchison’s goal, which came with 3:19 left in the third quarter. Paige O’Brien stole the ball in the middle of the pool, then passed it to a sprinting Hutchison on the left side for the goal.

Kate Murphy, who made three first-half saves before giving way to Kate Baldoni, said CdM has been emphasizing team defense.

“We’ve been working on our defense a lot, and we’re fine-tuning everything,” Murphy said. “It’s team defense. You’re not worried about yourself and your position, but everyone collectively, and how we can make a difference as a team.”

Hailey Prickett started the scoring, skipping in a shot from the left side with 4:21 left in the first quarter. But Wilson’s Jamie Williams tied the score 20 seconds later, on a miscommunication by the Sea Kings defense.

Prickett’s goal from two-meters gave CdM the lead back with 3:35 left in the quarter, then Livingston flung a goal from two-meters on Taylor Harkins’ pass with 2:43 left in the first.

Wilson’s Kendall Wootten scored from the left side just as her team’s six-on-five ended with six seconds left in the first quarter. The teams played through a scoreless second quarter and it was 3-2, CdM, at halftime.

“At halftime, we were all really encouraging each other,” Livingston said. “I think everybody started feeling the intensity and wanted to win. Later in the game, we started putting our shots away.”

Levine’s goal with 5:43 left in the third quarter gave CdM a two-goal advantage. Although Long Beach Wilson rallied on Sarah Welty’s long goal, Livingston scored again with 3:54 left in the third to put the Sea Kings’ lead back at two, 5-3.

“We’re really well-conditioned; we’re a really fast team,” Levine said. “I think by the third quarter, the other team was tired, so we kicked up our counter. We made good steals, then people were just off on the counter, and we got good shots. That was a big part of breaking away.”

The win was important for the Sea Kings, who don’t have another game scheduled until Dec. 15 against Agoura. With Corona del Mar in Division I this year, even nonleague wins against teams like Long Beach Wilson — ranked No. 10 in Division I in the Southern Section preseason poll — will be important in determining playoff positioning.

Livingston said the Sea Kings are already setting a high standard for themselves.

“It’s early, but everyone’s working so hard right now,” she said. “In practice, it’s so intense and we’re pushing each other.”

Nonleague

Corona del Mar 8, Long Beach Wilson 3

Score by Quarters

LB Wilson

2

0

1

0

—

3

CdM

3

0

3

2

— 8

Wilson -- Williams 1, Wootten 1, Welty 1. Saves -- Hardy 10.

CdM -- Livingston 3, Prickett 2, Hutchison 1, Levine 1, Indvik 1. Saves -- Murphy 3, Baldoni 2.