Orange County’s new aquatics jewel hosted its first championship event Thursday night, but an established Freeway League powerhouse maintained order in the pool.
Troy’s girls water polo team extended its league winning streak to 58 games with an 18-9 victory against upstart Fullerton in the league title match played under the lights at Sunny Hills’ recently completed 45-meter pool.
The Warriors (23-6, 8-0) tuned up for the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs by using a hard press, swift counterattack and balanced scoring to secure a sixth consecutive undefeated league crown. Troy has won seven league titles overall, earning a share with Sunny Hills in 2010-11.
“It’s been a whole lot of fun,” said Troy coach Jason Wilson, who took a victory plunge in the pool with his players afterward.
“I’ve had a whole lot of great people to work with over here at Troy. The parents, the teachers, the athletic directors, the kids. I’ve kind of been blessed. … Seven years in a row is a big deal.”
Left-hander Claire Schade paced Troy with four goals and five assists, and fellow seniors Ava Mattis, Megan O’Malley and Thea Elkhouri added three goals apiece.
Troy converted on its first six power plays and led, 15-3, in the third when Wilson inserted his reserves.
“It’s really fun winning that many games when your team gets along so well,” Schade said.
Fullerton (15-6, 4-2) started only two seniors but is headed to the Division 5 playoffs for its first postseason appearance since 2009. Junior Kaya Ortega paced the Indians with five second-half goals. Senior goalie Hannah Officer made four of her eight saves in the fourth period.
“Beating La Habra the other night was our big win,” Fullerton coach Shane Unger said.
In the Golden West League:
Ocean View 7, Segerstrom 6: Ieva Vaiciunas made 12 saves to help the host Seahawks avenge an earlier loss against the Jaguars and claim the league crown.
In nonleague:
No. 1 Laguna Beach 13, No. 3 Orange Lutheran 8: Aria Fischer scored five goals and Claire Sonne added four at El Toro as the Breakers won without Bella Baldridge (sick). Mollie Simmons scored four goals for the Lancers.
Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com
