Saturday’s CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO FINALS
DIVISION 1
FOOTHILL (24-6) vs. ORANGE LUTHERAN (25-3), 5:30 p.m.
Outlook: The fifth-seeded Knights and No. 2 Lancers duel for the third time. Foothill built an early lead in the teams’ semifinals of the early-season Holiday Cup and held on for a 9-8 victory. Orange Lutheran won the second meeting, collecting an 8-7 triumph in double sudden-death overtime in the finals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions in mid-January. Attacker Emma Skelly (team-high 88 goals) netted the winning goal. The teams bring an intriguing contrast of styles to the final. Foothill features a strong 2-meter attack led by rising sophomore Noelle Wijnbelt (team-leading 77 goals) while Orange Lutheran plays a press that relies heavily on the 2-meter defense of Kelsey Tyler (61 steals, 94 assists, 75 goals). Both teams delivered strong defensive games in the semifinals Wednesday. Foothill dethroned two-time defending Division 1 champion and top-seeded Laguna Beach, 4-3, behind goalie Kenzie Snyder (11 saves). The Lancers beat San Marcos, 8-6, with strong play from freshmen Hannah Palmer (four steals), Brooke Hourigan (four steals) and Alyssa Barnuevo (six saves, including a penalty). Orange Lutheran, in its fourth year, is making its first finals appearance. Six-time Division 1 champion Foothill is seeking its first title since 2007.
