Girls water polo: Den of thieves

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - An arrest warrant probably could have been issued

for the Corona del Mar High girls water polo team after the Sea Kings’

defense ran away with 15 steals, eight leading to goals, to help earn a

14-2 nonleague victory over visiting Peninsula Wednesday.

CdM junior Keelan Cuyler led the Sea Kings (2-0) with four steals. She

also added a goal, while junior Daniela DiGiacomo scored four goals and

recorded two steals and junior Danielle Carlson also netted four goals,

snagged two steals and dished out two assists.

“We played tight pressure defense,” said CdM first-year coach Aaron

Chaney. “We were trying to press them. I like where we are at as far as

how we’re playing.”

Peninsula Coach Mike Nolan was also impressed with the Sea Kings,

especially in CdM junior Christina Hewko, who scored two goals, posted

three steals, two assists and she drew an ejection that led to a goal on

a six-on-five situation.

“Christina Hewko is just a fabulous player,” Nolan said. “I’m sure she

was playing at one-tenth intensity and she still did all that she wanted

to do.”

Most of the Sea Kings had their way with the Panthers (4-3),

especially in the first half, when CdM built an 11-1 lead. In the second

period the Sea Kings scored on six of their seven possessions with five

goals coming off turnovers.

In a four-minute span in the second, CdM scored five times. Senior

Jessica Fries hurled in a nice skip shot from about eight meters out to

give the Sea Kings a 10-1 lead. Also in the 5-0 run was a pair of goals

from junior Brittney Bowlus, Hewko assisting on each.

Despite its big halftime lead, CdM continued to attack Peninsula in

the third period. The Sea Kings scored two goals in the half’s first

three minutes as a steal by Carlson led to a goal by Hewko, who finished

off a DiGiacomo assist on a breakaway. Then after a steal by Jessica

Harkins, Carlson converted the turnover with her goal.

With three minutes left in the period, DiGiacomo drew an ejection and

later she tried to score on the six-on-five. Her shot was blocked, but

she kept the ball alive by slapping the ball away from Peninsula’s goalie

and Cuyler tipped in the loose ball into the cage.

The Sea Kings kept the Panthers scoreless in two periods, allowing one

goal on a six-on-five in the first period. CdM senior goalie Jessica

Wells was on duty in the first half, but did not see much action because

of the Sea Kings’ robberies. Fellow senior goalie Vanessa Hill turned

back four shots in the second half.

Chaney said he expects the Sea Kings to improve their endurance,

especially with big games on their schedule next week. CdM will host

Arlington and Long Beach Wilson, at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday,

respectively.

NONLEAGUE

Corona del Mar 14, Peninsula 2

Peninsula 1 0 1 0 - 2

Corona del Mar 5 6 3 0 - 14

Peninsula - Ashla 1, Sadaghiani 1. Saves - Kim 11.

Corona del Mar - DiGiacomo 4, Carlson 4, Bowlus 2, Hewko 2, Cuyler 1,

Fries 1. Saves - Hill 4.