SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO FINALS
At Woollett Aquatics Center, Irvine
DIVISION 2
MURRIETA VALLEY (25-7) vs. EL TORO (22-10), 2:30 p.m.
Outlook: The No. 2-seeded Chargers will need to solve the No. 1 Nighthawks to defend their title. Murrieta Valley is 3-0 this season against the Chargers and undefeated against Division 2 teams. The Nighthawks won the first two games by five and eight goals, respectively. Murrieta Valley took the third match, 4-2, at the Irvine SoCal Championships. El Toro coach Justin Johnson said UCLA-bound Tara Prentice of Murrieta Valley (team-high 70 goals) has been a difficult matchup. El Toro beat Murrieta Valley twice last season, including an 11-9 decision in the semifinals. Both teams showed resolve Wednesday in the semifinals. El Toro rallied from a three-goal deficit at halftime to beat Los Osos, 9-6, while Murrieta Valley overcame foul trouble and a second-half surge by San Clemente for a 7-6 triumph. El Toro is led by defender Maddy Damato, attacker and leading scorer Maddy Parenteau (75 goals) and center Dana Acquah-Asare. Murrieta Valley’s Delayne Lynton (57 goals) has committed to UC Irvine. Both teams are strong in goal. Murrieta Valley’s Morgan Jones has 255 saves while El Toro counters with Tori Rainone. The Nighthawks are three-time CIF champions with their last titles in 2011-12 in Division 3.
