The tears were gone, replaced by smiles, embraces between teammates and cheers for a long-sought first-place finish.
University’s girls water polo team reaped the rewards of its resilience and self-reliance Saturday at the Falcon tournament.
Just 31/2 weeks after losing their first-year coach to a sudden departure for the college ranks, the Trojans captured their first tournament title in at least a decade by defeating JSerra, 14-9, in the final round-robin championship match at a rainy Santa Ana Valley.
University (10-5) scored six goals in the third period to break open a one-goal, halftime lead against JSerra (8-5).
The Trojans’ trio of Shawna Kedzie, Kyla Pickell and Maddie Chen each scored on counterattacks in the third as University outscored the Lions, 6-2, in the period.
Kedzie, a Woodbridge transfer who became eligible Monday, finished with five goals while Pickell netted four and Chen added three.
University soaked up the victory by taking pictures with the championship plaque, a striking contrast to the meeting last month when it learned that Coach Jeff Colton was departing for an assistant coaching position at Arizona State.
“We really had to pull together as a team,” said Pickell, a co-captain with Chen. “When (Colton) told us (he was leaving) … we were so shocked. A lot of us started crying.”
Pickell and Chen said University’s struggling program had longed for a demanding coach such as Colton, who arrived from Division 1 powerhouse Foothill.
“We were really ready to work,” Pickell said. “When he came in, we were all super pumped.”
But the Trojans have found strength in each other since his departure. They went 5 for 6 on the power-play against JSerra, including two conversions featuring Pickell rising above the defense to slam in cross passes from the left-handed Kedzie.
University kept its composure after JSerra took a 2-0 lead on early strikes by Krista Krantz (five goals) and Mariah Meyer (two goals).
“(Colton) was kind of the glue and then we became the glue after he left,” Chen said.
University and interim coach Dave Johnson also defeated defending champion Marina, 11-6, on Saturday. The Vikings beat JSerra, 13-5, behind four goals from Maddie Camargo and three by Lina Yuno to finish second.
In the Western tournament:
Montebello 14, Laguna Hills 3: The Oilers captured the title at Garden Grove.
In the Arroyo Grande tournament:
Mission Viejo finished second to Murrieta Valley in the round-robin finals.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
