Rosary’s girls water polo team earned another chance to notch an elusive upset by taking care of business Tuesday in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.
Center Ellise Floreani scored four goals and goalie Jessica Hermosillo made nine saves to help Rosary defeat Royal of Simi Valley, 8-6, at Fullerton College.
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Tuesday’s CIF water polo scoreboard
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Rosary, ranked ninth in Orange County, will take on No. 8 San Clemente, a 24-6 winner against Long Beach Millikan, in the second round Thursday. The Tritons will be the home team.
Rosary (19-10) has been chasing an upset victory all season, and it also is seeking redemption for an 8-6 loss to the Tritons (22-7) last month.
“We’ve been consistent,” Floreani said of her squad’s season. “We almost beat Santa Margarita (losing 6-5). I think that’s one of the best games we’ve played. Defensively, we were really together.”
Rosary’s defense provided a spark against Royal (18-12). Hermosillo reached to block a power-play chance at the end of the first period to preserve a scoreless tie.
The save, and a few reassuring words from Coach Rory Bevins between periods, seemed to ignite Rosary in the second.
Freshman left-hander Sabrina Garabet scored from center a minute into the second period to give Rosary a 1-0 lead. Garabet, a rising player from the Foothill club in La Verne, capitalized on a backcourt turnover.
Anastacia Gonzalez scored about 30 seconds later off a pass by Garabet to cap a counterattack started by a save from Hermosillo.
Floreani capped a 3-0 run in the second with a power-play strike off her drawn exclusion and a pass by Katie Tijerina.
Royal drew within one goal three times but each time Rosary answered with a key strike. Floreani provided the final response, scoring off a power play drawn by Garabet and an assist from Natalie Tincopa for a 6-4 lead with 51 seconds left in the third.
Both teams went 1 for 5 with the extra attacker.
And before the end of the third, Tijerina scored from 6 meters with 11 seconds to give Rosary a 7-4 lead. The junior finished with two goals, three assists and two steals.
Rosary led, 8-4, in the fourth and held on thanks to two late saves by Hermosillo. Next up: San Clemente.
“I think it falls on them to repeat (their victory last month),” Bevins said. “There’s no pressure on us.”
And Rosary built momentum for Thursday with how it played Tuesday.
“(We’re) feeling very confident that we won today,” Floreani said. “I think that will really help us (Thursday).”
Also in the Division 2 first round:
Orange Lutheran 14, Bell Gardens 5: Campbell Ruh scored six goals and Kelsey Tyler had six assists to lead the Lancers (18-7) to the first playoff victory in school history.
Dana Hillls 16, Roosevelt of Corona 7: Madison Baba scored four goals and Molly Wilbur added six saves to lead the host Dolphins, who play at No. 3 seed Agoura in the second round Thursday.
In wild-card games:
In Division 1:
Woodbridge 16, Costa Mesa 4: Shawna Kedzie scored five goals and Hannah Leeper made 10 saves to lead the visiting Warriors (14-10), who take on No. 2 seeded Foothill in the first round Wednesday.
Edison 12, El Dorado 2: Delaney Cleveland scored four goals at Costa Mesa to lead the Chargers (17-12), who play at No. 3 seed Corona del Mar on Wednesday.
In Division 4:
Buena Park 5, Cal 2: Jazmin Ryles scored twice at Whittier to lead the visiting Coyotes (19-10), who play at No. 3 seed Aliso Niguel on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Sunny Hills 9, Walnut 8: Kate Vera scored three goals at Whittier College and the Lancers held on after opening a 9-6 lead. Sunny Hills plays at No. 4 seed South Pasadena on Thursday. The Lancers fell to South Pasadena, 13-6, earlier this season.
In Division 6:
Tustin 6, Culver City 5: Natalie Martin tied the score, 5-5, for the Tillers with about four minutes left, and Camille Moffat scored on the power play with just under two minutes left. Tustin lost in the first round last season against Culver City. Tustin plays at No. 2 seeded Palm Desert on Thursday.
Rancho Alamitos 10, La Salle 8: Mackenna Ammann scored four goals and goalie Rebecca No added 14 saves and a late steal to lead the visiting Vaqueros (11-11). Rancho Alamitos plays at Savanna on Thursday.
Pacifica 11, Xavier Prep of Palm Desert 7: Kalista Hyham scored four goals and Nicole McConnaughey made 14 saves at Garden Grove to lead the Mariners, who play at Oaks Christian in the first round Thursday.
Cypress 11. Chadwick 5: Lindsey Mizrahi and Sarah Smith each scored three goals and Rachel Privett made 13 saves to lead the host Centurions, who play at Santa Ana Valley on Thursday.
In Division 7:
Don Lugo of Chino 11, Orange 10: Kellie Hite netted five goals in the loss for the visiting Panthers.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
