Notes: Newport Harbor makes statement against Los Al
Wrapping up the Santa Barbara TOC:
Newport Harbor’s top-ranked girls water polo team wanted to send a message to No. 2 Los Alamitos in the semifinals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions.
The Sailors won the teams’ league match Jan. 6 in overtime but wanted a better showing in the sequel.
Newport Harbor got its wish by posting a 6-3 victory at Santa Barbara High on Saturday.
“We really wanted to come out and show them that we think (we’re) a lot better team than we played that Wednesday night (in league),” Gilchrist said. “I think we definitely did that.”
Gilchrist certainly did her part against the Griffins. The senior drew a penalty shot on a turn between defenders at center in the final seconds of the first half. She converted the penalty shot to give Newport Harbor the lead for good, 3-2.
Gilchrist scored another buzzer-beat at the end of the third period. The USC signee scored on a power-play attempt to put the Sailors up, 5-3. Then in the fourth, Gilchrist scored after being fouled outside 5 meters.
Newport Harbor’s defense also was strong. The Sailors held Los Alamitos to two natural goals and picked up only one ejection.
After the game, Newport Harbor sent Gilchrist off to the airport with a round of hugs. Gilchrist left with U.S. junior surf team Saturday night for the ISA world championships in New Zealand. …
Los Alamitos played both its matches Saturday without defender Dari Watkins, who was sick. The Griffins bounced back in the third-place match to defeat No. 3 Corona del Mar, 8-2. Kaley Dodson had a pair assists to Rachel Fattal on power-play goals to help highlight the victory. …
No. 4 Laguna Beach held off Santa Barbara, 5-4, to capture fifth place. The Breakers led 4-0 at halftime and posted the victory despite playing without Stanford-bound Lexie Ross, who had a singing performance. “That’s a big win without Lexie,” Laguna Beach coach Ethan Damato said.
All-tournament selection Yoshi Andersen helped seal the victory with a field block on Santa Barbara’s final attempt.
TOP MATCHES THIS WEEK
At Newport Harbor on Wednesday -- Los Alamitos vs. Edison, 5 p.m.; Fountain Valley vs. Newport Harbor, 7:20 p.m.
