Manetta helps Laguna Beach keep focus

Manetta helps Laguna Beach keep focus

December 30, 2008 - 3:00 AM
OCVarsity.com

Goalie Etianne Manetta is a big reason Laguna Beach's girls water polo team has started 9-0.

The sophomore has been solid for the second-ranked Breakers, who lost senior goalie Sarah Zuziak to an injury.

The UC Santa Barbara-bound Zuziak suffered a broken thumb in a preseason scrimmage against Newport Harbor.

Manetta helped Laguna Beach capture the Villa Park Classic on Dec. 13. And last week, she had one of her best matches in a 15-3 victory against No. 6 San Clemente. Manetta made 12 saves.

“She has been a big bright spot for us this season and is getting more and more comfortable each game,” Laguna Beach coach Ethan Damato said in an e-mail.

The Breakers return to action Jan. 6 when they play host to Montebello (6-3) in a matchup of arguably the top two Division II teams. - Dan Albano

BOYS SOCCER: TRABUCO HILLS FLYING HIGH

For this first time this season, Trabuco Hills is in the county top 10 for boys soccer.

This past weekend, the Mustangs made quite an impressive showing in Trabuco Hills Invitational by defeating Woodbridge, 3-2, Edison, 2-1, Rosemead, 2-1, and Foothill, 2-1.

Charlie Mercure scored four goals for the Mustangs during the winning streak, including two against Edison. - Damian Dottore

GIRLS SOCCER: MARTINO ON A ROLL

One of the biggest goal-scoring threats in county girls soccer appears to be heating up.

Beckman junior Tawni Martino scored three goals in the Patriots' first two games at the North Orange County Classic on Saturday.

She has now found the back of the net four times in the Patriots' past four games, which has moved her into a tie for second place in the county with 10 goals this season.

Martino, who earlier this year earned the Golden Boot award while helping her ODP team win the 2008 under-16 national championship, was tied for seventh in the county a season ago with 17 goals. - Jason Eichelberger

FOOTBALL: MISSION VIEJO'S BRIDGFORD IN ALL-AMERICAN BOWL

Allan Bridgford, who set Mission Viejo school passing record this season and has committed to Cal, is on the West roster for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, set for Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The game will be broadcast on KNBC/4 at 10 a.m.

Bridgford is one of three quarterbacks on the roster and one of three players from the county. - Chris Tobolski

 

Contact the writer: ctobolski@ocregister.com