Tustin’s girls water polo team notched one of its biggest victories of the season Saturday, setting the stage for another intriguing week in the Empire League.
Senior Angela Chacon scored from the perimeter with about 30 seconds left in sudden-death overtime to lift the host Tillers past Santa Ana Valley, 7-6, in the finals of the Katella-hosted Roy Brown Classic.
Santa Ana Valley’s Ale Barajas scored from the perimeter with one second left in regulation to force overtime.
Tustin overcame a 6-on-4 advantage by the Falcons in overtime to notch its sixth consecutive victory and build momentum for a critical week.
Tustin plays at Cypress in an Empire League match Thursday. Cypress is coming off a 7-6 victory gainst Pacifica last week in league, but the Tillers (1-0 in league) were encouraged by their results Saturday. Santa Ana Valley has defeated Cypress twice.
“Every game we get better,” Tustin first-year coach Molly Andrews said.
“We did two-a-days all summer long and we had tons of scrimmages in the fall.”
Andrews said Tustin’s offense has improved recently behind freshman Dana Twisk and junior Hannah Binder. Amy Albus also moved to goalie to replace injured Kalypso Fish (finger), who is expected to return next week.
Cypress’ junior Sarah Smith scored four goals against Pacifica, including the winner, and added four steals. …
Newport Harbor’s JV claimed the varsity Segerstrom tournament on Saturday, outscoring opponents, 70-27. Rising sophomores Claire Tafoya and Quincy Morgan combined for 35 goals while freshmen Jessica Lynch, Kaela Whelan and Sarah Barker combined for 31 goals.
Newport Harbor sophomore goalie Chloe Schilling made 25 saves. …
In one of the top matches this week, No. 10 Mater Dei plays host to No. 5 Orange Lutheran on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Mater Dei plays at No. 9 Santa Margarita on Thursday at 5 p.m.
