WEDNESDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO SEMIFINALS
DIVISION 1
NEWPORT HARBOR (23-6) VS. FOOTHILL (25-4)
Site, time: William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, 5 p.m.
Outlook: The second-seeded Knights and No. 3 Sailors clash for the fourth time this season and for the second straight postseason. The Crestview League champion Knights are 3-0 against the Sunset League champion Sailors this winter, taking the matches by a combined score of 16-7.
Foothill’s dominance arrives a season after the Sailors beat the Knights, 5-4, in the Division 1 quarterfinals. If this season’s series isn’t enough motivation for Newport Harbor, the Sailors also could find motivation with the potential return of retiring Coach Bill Barnett from hip surgery on Thursday. Foothill features a standout and physical center in Cana Manzella but the Sailors counter with defender Rachel Whitelegge and a strong center of their own in Chanel Schilling. The game could be decided by the attackers, power-plays or perhaps goaltending. Newport Harbor’s Carlee Kapana is arguably the top keeper in the nation but Foothill’s defense can be tough because of its speed and goalie Kenzie Snyder. The Knights have held the Sailors to 2.3 goals per match, a number to remember since the Sailors were shutout in the second half of their quarterfinal victory against San Marcos.
Newport Harbor is seeking an impressive fourth consecutive trip to the Division 1 finals while Foothill is attempting to return for the first time since 2011.
WATCH A LIVE STREAM OF THIS GAME.
