Tars, Layton are living large

Newport Harbor High girls’ water polo goalkeeper Elizabeth Layton had to be on high alert at all times during the Sailors’ 7-3 victory over Santa Margarita in the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals last Friday.

She never knew when a ball might be flung her way from mid-pool or hurled from some wacky angle. Layton faced 32 shots against the trigger-happy Eagles. Some of the dozen saves she made were relatively easy; others were tricky.

By staying focused for the entire game, Layton not only made the saves she’s supposed to make, she displayed her knack for making difficult saves at critical junctures.

After the Sailors took a 5-2 lead in the match and were threatening to swim away with a lopsided victory, the Eagles were desperate to score. It was clear Santa Margarita needed to score the game’s next goal if it wanted to stay in the game.

During this span, Layton made three key saves that allowed the Sailors to keep a comfortable lead, including an arm save on a driving shot by Kacey Anderson and a save on a backhand at two meters from Santa Margarita star Darby Anderson.

Layton announced after the game that Newport Harbor was “ready to get that ring.” Tuesday night, the Sailors did just that, defeating Montebello, 14-13, in overtime, in the highest-scoring CIF Southern Section final ever in girls’ water polo.

After allowing 13 goals during regulation of a wild contest, Layton held the Oilers scoreless in two overtime periods.

She credited Coach Bill Barnett with giving her the confidence to stay strong after allowing goals.

“He has definitely helped with my confidence,” Layton said. “And because I’m more confident, I’ve been able to stay focused and not worry when I let in a goal.”

Layton made four big saves in overtime to key the victory.

“I kept telling myself, ‘Nothing goes in the net in overtime,’” Layton said.

Layton also came up with huge saves during Newport Harbor’s biggest Sea View League game. Layton blocked two four-meter penalty shots in Newport Harbor’s 8-7 overtime win over Foothill. Layton and the Sailor defense held Foothill scoreless in two overtime periods and she made 16 saves in all.

Layton, after splitting time in goal her junior year, honed her game last summer playing in the Junior Olympics, then returned to the Sailors raring to go.

“I got great experience in the summer, then I felt strong and ready to go when I came back,” Layton said. “Coach Barnett helped me a lot.”

Has winning a CIF title sunk in yet?

“Not really,” she said. “I don’t think it will until the banquet in two weeks. I’m sure that’s when I’ll get all emotional.

“The best part of this season has been growing with my teammates,” she said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have gone anywhere.”

The Elizabeth Layton File

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 5-foot-8

Weight: 140

Sport: Water polo

Position: Goalkeeper

Coach: Bill Barnett

Favorite food: Mexican food (tacos)

Favorite movie: “Meet Joe Black”

Favorite athletic moment: “It’s between winning CIF and blocking two four-meter penalty shots in a game against Foothill that was for the league title.”

Week in review: Layton made 12 saves, including several from point-blank range, during the Newport Harbor girls’ water polo team’s 7-3 victory over Santa Margarita in the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals.dpt-athlete03.IMGGraphicInfo8N1OIT4H200603038N1OIT4HNo Captiondpt.03-aow-layton-BPhotoInfoRK1OID6720060303iviyxiknLINDA NGUYEN / DAILY PILOT(LA)