Freshman Barr leads Mater Dei to playoff victory

Mater Dei's girls water polo team hung tough one more time.

The Monarchs overcame a quiet first period and foul trouble in the second half to defeat visiting Laguna Hills, 7-3, in a CIF-SS Division 1 wild-card match Tuesday.

Mater Dei (13-15) used a five-goal outburst in the second period to put away the Hawks (16-13) and reach Wednesday's first round match at second-seeded Newport Harbor. Rising freshman Mackenzie Barr scored three of her five goals in the second to lead the Monarchs, who led 6-1 at halftime.

Barr also drew an ejection in the second that led her power-play strike. She also was wrecking havoc at 2 meters when Sara Samaha fired a shot from 7 meters in off the side post.

"Everything we do offensive is stimulated by Mackenzie," Mater Dei coach Chris Segesman said of Barr, who has 115 goals.

Barr also guarded 2 meters on defense in the fourth after starting defender Julia Charlesworth (steal, field block) fouled out. But Mater Dei has made a habit of overcoming obstacles.

Late in the summer, high-scoring center McKenna Mitchell departed for Foothill. The Monarchs have also played the entire season without their top 2-meter defender, Claire McKinnon (broken wrist). And during one stretch, they played without goalie Alexsee Wilcox, who was sick.

Wilcox had nine saves Tuesday.

Mater Dei still met its top goal: capturing the Trinity League title. The Monarchs shared the crown with Rosary and Santa Margarita. "The girls have played really well under the circumstances," Segesman said.

Sophomore Bridgette Alvarez had two perimeter goals and three steals to lead the Hawks.

In other Division 1 matches:

Fountain Valley 13, Long Beach Millikan 1: Marisa Young and Kayla Robert each scored three goals to lead the visiting Barons (20-7).

Edison 14, Northwood 1: Danielle Warde had six goals at Golden West College for the Chargers (21-6).

El Toro 9, San Marcos 7: Justine Morgan and Taylor Adair each scored three goals for the host Chargers (17-13).

In Division 6:

Ocean View 12, Mayfield 10: Holland McNabb scored eight goals and sister Cami McNabb made 13 saves at Pasadena Poly to lead the Seahawks (11-15).

Westminster 8, Webb 7: Diana Nguyen scored the Lions' only goal of the fourth and sophomore Warner Rich made 13 saves to pace Westminster (15-9) at Huntington Beach.

In Division 2:

Tesoro 8, Tustin 7: Kelsey Suggs scored five goals to lead the host Titans (15-11) past the Tillers (23-6), who got 12 saves from Christina Wycoff.

Mission Viejo 12, Peninsula 6: Jillian Bond and Daniele Lopez each scored three goals at Palos Verdes to lead the Diablos (16-13).