Newport Harbor wins showdown with strong finish

NEWPORT BEACH – Newport Harbor's girls water polo team fired only two shots on Los Alamitos' goal in a scoreless effort in the third period Wednesday night.

"Beautiful," Los Alamitos coach Dave Carlson barked during one defensive sequence as the Griffins nailed its rotations.

But in the fourth period, Newport Harbor's offense was even more striking.

The second-ranked Sailors attacked from their strength at 2 meters and scored three goals — including two from Elissia Schilling — en route to 9-7 victory against the No. 3 Griffins in a critical Sunset League match at Newport Harbor.

The Sailors' defense and goalie Cleo Harrington also pitched a shutout in the final seven minutes to help give Newport Harbor (12-4, 3-0) sole possession of first place.

Harrington, a sophomore, made four of her 14 saves in the fourth against the defending league champion Griffins (15-4, 2-1). The Sailors didn't allow a goal in the final 8:10.

"I think this game is bigger than Battle of the Bay (against Corona del Mar) because it's league," said Schilling, who finished with a season-high five goals. "Everyone wants to win league. (And) this game helps us get our seeding down the road in CIF."

Newport Harbor trailed, 7-6, going into the fourth but followed its 2-meter attack to victory. On all three goals, the Sailors moved the ball well on the perimeter before exploiting one-on-one coverage at center.

Avery Peterson tied the score, 7-7, a minute into the fourth on a cross-cage lob.

Schilling added a lob shot of her own 1:20 later to give the Sailors an 8-7 lead.

Schilling sealed the victory by scoring on a backhanded shot with 1:07 left. The Sailors spaced their offense well on the goal and made a long entry pass from the point to Schilling, who unleashed her shot before the Griffins' crash arrived.

"Elissia is stepping up in the clutch," Newport Harbor assistant coach Brian Melstrom said. "She keeps working."

Newport Harbor's defense worked hard. Harrington appeared by deflect a power-play shot in the fourth by Los Alamitos' Ella Weber with her shoulder and the side of her face.

"I don't mind (getting hit in the face) as long as the (shot) doesn't go in," Harrington said.

Said Melstrom, "Cleo's got some long arms ... and great instincts."

Harrington got some help from Peterson late in the game. After Schilling's backhander, Peterson blocked a shot in the field coming out of a Los Alamitos timeout.

The Sailors also got a strong defensive effort from Maddy McLaren, who spent much of her time marking her future UCLA teammate, Rachel Fattal.

In the second half, Fattal didn't score and finished with two goals.

"I think she was the defensive leader," Melstrom said of McLaren, who finished with a team-high three steals.

And in the end, Newport Harbor emerged the leader in arguably the toughest league in Division 1.

"We're in the hunt (for a CIF championship)," Melstrom said.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com