Corona del Mar cracks down on defense

Corona del Mar girls water polo coach Aaron Chaney had two attractive choices Saturday while reviewing his squad's 9-1 nonleague victory against visiting Foothill.

He was asked whether Corona del Mar's perimeter shooting or defense was more impressive.

Top-ranked Corona del Mar scored seven goals from the perimeter against a mostly drop-defense by No. 4 Foothill. But Corona del Mar also held Foothill to only a second-period power-play goal and just a few good scoring chances against goalie Kate Baldoni.

“I thought our defense was better,” Chaney said. “I thought we did a really good job on 2-meter D.”

Corona del Mar (11-0) played a strong press defense, turning over the center-defense duties to a cast of players led by Elise Molnar.

Foothill's Brittany Zwirner tied the score, 1-1, 1:04 into the second period on a power-play strike from the top perimeter. Zwirner caught Baldoni leaning to the wrong side of the cage but Baldoni (12 saves) and Corona del Mar shut out the Knights for the final 19:56.

Foothill (5-5) earned three exclusions in the first half but only one in the second. Foothill went 1 for 4 with the extra attacker; Corona del Mar finished 2 for 3.

“We played two good quarters and fell asleep,” said Foothill coach Dave Mikesell, whose squad played without standout freshman Jessie Porter (flu). “They're the best team in CIF.”

Corona del Mar led, 3-1, at halftime but scored all six of its second-half goals from the perimeter.

Margot Money set the tone in the third by scoring twice in the first 1:39 of the period. Money and Molnar led seven players in scoring with two goals apiece.

Baldoni almost got into the scoring column. The senior tossed in a shot from three-quarters the length of the pool at the end of the third but it was waved off.

“The girls shot really well,” Chaney said.

Corona del Mar is often a target for drop-defenses because of its powerful 2-meter trio of Victoria Kennedy, Molnar and Leslee Kaczmarek. Foothill didn't allow a goal from center but all three scored from the perimeter.

“I think we've had good balance,” Chaney said of the offense.

In another nonleague match:

No. 3 Newport Harbor 10, The Bishop's of La Jolla 6: Goalie Krissy Burger made 15 saves and Kate Klippert and Kaleigh Gilchrist each scored four goals to pace the host Sailors (8-3).

At the NCSI Tournament:

Pacifica 7, JSerra 5: All-tournament selections Molly Andoe (four goals) and goalie Katie Avila (eight saves) led the Mariners (10-3) at Santa Ana Valley. Pacifica later beat California, 9-2, en route to capturing the 18-team tournament.

JSerra 6, California 3: All-tournament pick Johanna Radbone scored three goals at Valley to lead the Lions (11-3), who finished second.

At the O.C. Shootout:

St. Lucy's of Glendora 17, Warren of Downey 9: The Division III Regents cruised in the tournament final at Kennedy.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com