Mater Dei’s girls water polo team repaired a troublesome deficiency Tuesday night to post one of its biggest victories and set up a showdown next week.
The No. 5 Monarchs converted 7 of 10 chances on the power play en route to a 15-9 victory against visiting No. 8 Santa Margarita to remain unbeaten in the Trinity League.
“We’ve struggled all year with extra man,” Mater Dei coach Chris Segesman said.
“We’ve been losing games because of it, and I keep telling these girls that big games are going to come down to 6-on-5 … so you have to execute. They did a nice job of that tonight.”
Mater Dei (13-5, 3-0) plays No. 1 Orange Lutheran (18-3, 2-0) on Feb. 2 at Santiago Canyon College for first place in league.
The Monarchs used a multiplayer attack at 2 meters to earn most of their chances with the extra attacker. They featured a rotation of Kayla Constandse, her sister Hannah, Nicole Kresich and Grace Thawley.
Kayla Constandse paced Mater Dei with five goals. Kresich had three goals, including two on power plays, and drew five exclusions. Hannah Constandse added two goals, and Thawley scored once and drew three exclusions.
Marley Presiado helped anchor Mater Dei’s defense with nine saves.
Bella Baia scored four goals, including two on lobs, for the Eagles (9-10, 1-1), who went 3 for 4 on the power play.
“(Mater Dei) did a pretty good job of working the ball around, driving, posting up and getting the ball in where they needed to,” Santa Margarita coach Brian Weathersby said.
Santa Margarita plays host to Rosary next week.
In the Crestview League:
Yorba Linda 9, Canyon 8 (OT): Maddi Hudak and Allie Vas scored in overtime to lift the visiting Mustangs (10-14, 1-0).
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
