SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO FINALS
At Woollett Aquatics Center, Irvine
DIVISION 2
SAN CLEMENTE (19-7) VS. EL TORO (22-9), 4 p.m.
Outlook: The South Coast League rivals clash for a CIF title just like the schools’ boys teams did in 1988 (El Toro won, 19-11). The Chargers’ top-seeded girls are in the finals for the first time. Third-seeded San Clemente is making its second finals appearance. The Tritons captured the Division 2 crown in 2011. The teams split their two league matches but the Chargers captured the South Coast title after Dana Hills upset the Tritons. El Toro won the first meeting in early January at San Clemente, 8-7, while the Tritons and goalie Hylah Prussak returned the favor Feb. 10 at El Toro, 7-5. San Clemente’s offense is led by 106-goal scorer Amber McCutcheon, a left-handed center who has scored the winning goals on late counterattacks the past two games. But San Clemente also features capable scorers in Cassidy Smithson (51 goals), versatile attacker Alaina Cousineau (44) and Makenna Smith (42). El Toro employs a swift and balanced offense led by attackers Maddy Parenteau and Jessica Rodriguez among others. Goalie Tori Rainone and defender Maddy Damato anchor the defense.