Watch out OC: IE shows its muscle at Junior Olympics
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IRVINE One of the consistent opinions shared within Orange County's high school water polo scene is that the Inland Empire programs are quickly improving.
On Sunday night, an Inland Empire club teams was the best in the nation.
Ontario-based CHAWP stormed to its first title at the S & R Sport Junior Olympics by defeating Los Angeles Water Polo Club, 7-4, in the finals of the girls 18-and-under platinum division at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.
On a day in which Orange County also didn't win a title in the elite 16- and 14-and-under girls divisions, CHAWP's 18s never trailed and led 7-2 with just over four minutes left.
“People under-estimated us a lot and they shouldn't because we're getting a lot better,” said CHAWP goalie Caitlin Dement, who was selected tournament MVP. “This is definitely more proof.”
CHAWP's girls captured the U.S. 18-and-under club championship in July, edging Lake Forest-based SET in the finals.
Dement and CHAWP coach Greg Salvinski pointed to hard work and dedication as the reasons for their rise.
Last year, the CHAWP team traveled to Hungary to play high-level competition. The year before that, it was Italy.
“A lot of the girls are coming from multiple high schools, coming to play club to get better,” Salvinski said. “Their teammates tend to come over and then you get two, three, four players from a high school and they're all doing better.”
Dement, a freshman-to-be at UCLA, is a former high school standout at Ayala. She made 15 saves in the final and allowed only one even-strength goal.
Dement had to be sharp because her counterpart, USC-bound Kristine Cato, produced 17 saves.
Los Angeles doubled covered CHAWP at 2 meters and allowed only three power plays but CHAWP found other ways to score. Bonita senior-to-be Amber Pezzolla used a pass to herself to net one of the biggest goals.
With CHAWP leading 3-2 late in the second period, Pezzolla posted up close to the 5 meter line, passed the ball around a defender, regained possession and scored with 25 seconds left.
In the 14-and-under platinum final, Commerce edged Santa Barbara, 16-15, in shootouts. In the 16s platinum finals, Northern California's Diablo edged Santa Barbara, 8-7.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
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