IRVINE – They were still smiling long after the tempest overtime waters settled, their CIF-edition cornrows and Charger bull signs on full display.
El Toro’s reign as the CIF-SS Division 2 girls water polo champion ended Saturday afternoon but the Chargers’ sense of accomplishment didn’t.
“I’m so proud of the legacy that we’ve left for the school,” El Toro senior Maddy Damato said after top-seeded Murrieta Valley defeated the No. 2 Chargers, 10-8, in the Division 2 final at Woollett Aquatics Center.
“We did everything we could to set the tone for the program,” Damato said.
It was easy to see how she felt. After going 0-3 during the regular season against Murrieta Valley (26-7), the Chargers took their first lead against the Nighthawks in four matches, opening a 4-1 advantage in the first period and forcing a timeout.
“Best El Toro I’ve seen play this season,” Murrieta Valley coach Bryan Lynton said of the Chargers, who won their first CIF title last season.
The Chargers still led, 5-4, late in the third, with goalie Tori Rainone (13 saves) playing a starring role and Damato blocking a power-play chance after Rainone was excluded.
Murrieta Valley took its first lead, 6-5, with just under two minutes left in the third and led, 8-6, with just over four minutes left in the fourth.
El Toro’s Maddy Parenteau netted a perimeter strike coming out of a timeout with 4:10 left and lefty Dana Acquah-Asare forced overtime with a sweep shot from center with 49 seconds left.
“We played really hard,” Rainone said. “We definitely were really excited to play them, especially because we hadn’t beaten them.”
After a scoreless opening three-minute overtime, Murrieta Valley’s Delayne Lynton scored the go-ahead strike on a power play with 47 seconds left in the second overtime. It was the UC Irvine-bound Lynton’s match-high fifth goal and just the Nighthawks’ third power-play goal in 11 chances.
“Unreal,” Murrieta Valley’s Tara Prentice said of Lynton’s play.
El Toro called a timeout, but Prentice stole a pass into center for Damato with about 37 seconds left. The Chargers went into a full press, pushed Rainone into the field to defend, but Prentice swam the ball onto offense, drew a foul and scored from just about half-pool.
“In the whole scheme of the game, the last play isn’t what is going to bring us down,” Damato said. “I have nothing but respect for Murrieta. … They wanted it more. They fought harder. I respect that. We did all we could.”
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
