LAGUNA BEACH - Annika Dries, Lexie Ross and Taylor Dodson combined for 12 goals as Laguna Beach's girls water polo team strengthened its grip on Division II with a 17-6 victory against visiting Montebello on Tuesday.

The Breakers, ranked first in Division II, opened a 6-2 lead after the first period against Montebello, arguably the second-best squad in the division.

Laguna Beach (10-0) then stretched its advantage in the final three periods to post its third consecutive double-digit victory.

“The score wasn't real indicative of what the game was at times,” Laguna Beach coach Ethan Damato said. “But I'm real happy with where we are right now overall.”

Montebello (6-4) opened the match by playing a drop defense at 2 meters against standout Dries. But the Breakers capitalized on the extra space on the perimeter by scoring five of their first six on outside shots.

Dodson (three goals) scored twice from the top of the perimeter in the first.

Laguna Beach then scored seven goals from center in the final three periods. Dries (five goals) and Ross (four goals) each scored three times from 2 meters during the stretch.

“We're really tough to defend if we put our outside shots away,” Damato said.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com