Mater Dei girls water polo coach Chris Segesman predicts a bright future for freshman Tea Poljak.
“She’s going to be a phenomenal player by the end (of high school),” he said of the SOCAL club product last month at the Holiday Cup. “She has a good shot. She’s learning the defense.”
The Olympian’s forecast has looked spot-on so far, especially after Poljak’s heroics Thursday night.
Poljak scored off a foul on the perimeter — from water polo’s No. 3 spot at the point — with two seconds left to lift Mater Dei past visiting San Marcos, 9-8, in a nonleague match between Division 1 contenders.
Poljak paced Mater Dei with four goals while Hannah Constandse added three. Marley Presiado made seven saves.
U.S. national team member Paige Hauschild led San Marcos with three goals while Sophie Trumbull added 12 saves.
Mater Dei is ranked No. 2 in Division 1, one spot above San Marcos. The Monarchs play at top-ranked Laguna Beach on Saturday at 2 p.m.
In other games:
In the Sea View League:
Laguna Hills 9, Aliso Niguel 8: The host Hawks took sole possession of first place in league. They opened a 7-3 lead at halftime but the Wolverines trimmed the deficit to 7-6 going into the fourth.
Jordan Werkmeister scored three goals for Aliso Niguel.
In the Empire League:
Kennedy 9, Valencia 6: Karen Anguiano scored three goals and Cami Owens made 11 saves as the visiting Fighting Irish improved to 2-0 in league.
