Culhane, Schade help Troy capture Freeway League title

FULLERTON — The Troy girls water polo team, behind a game-high four goals from junior attacker Grace Schade, defeated visiting Sunny Hills, 8-3, before an overflow crowd Tuesday afternoon to capture the Freeway League championship.

But the story of the game for Troy (18-9, 9-0) was senior goalie Jessica Culhane.

Culhane, starting only her fourth game of the season, came up with big saves time and time again for the Warriors, ranked fifth this week in CIF-SS Division 4. She finished with 13 saves.

The Warriors' season-long starting goalie, Jessica Harris, dislocated her thumb in practice Friday and Culhane stepped in to replace her.

“If you work hard enough and when your chance comes you need to be ready and she (Culhane) certainly was ready,” Troy coach Jason Wilson said. “She stepped up and made some big blocks.”

Culhane held Sunny Hills (21-6, 7-2) scoreless in the second and fourth periods. The Lancers, ranked sixth in Division 4, had been averaging over 13 goals per game.

“Sunny Hills is our biggest rival and to end my senior year as league champs is the best feeling,” Culhane said. “I know Jessica (Harris) was hurt, but I’m glad he (Wilson) had confidence to put me in anyway.”

It took less than 32 seconds for Schade to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later the lefty scored again on a 2-meter shot in close.

UC Santa Barbara-bound senior Holly Smith scored twice for Troy in the third period to give the Warriors a 6-2 lead with 2:27 remaining.

The Troy defense held the Lancers’ career goals leader, Amanda Solis, to two goals. Solis is 11th in the county with 93 goals.

Also scoring for Troy were Minna Mattis and Alison Lany. Scoring the other goal for Sunny Hills was junior attacker Cecilya Lundy.