NEWPORT BEACH Corona del Mar's fifth-ranked girls water polo team scored four goals from center in the second half Friday en route to a victory against one of Southern California's hottest squads at the Holiday Cup.

Victoria Kennedy collected two of the strikes, and Heather Van Hiel and newcomer Leslee Kaczmarek each added one apiece as Corona del Mar rolled to a surprisingly easy 8-3 quarterfinal triumph against visiting Long Beach Wilson.

Long Beach Wilson (7-2) features at least five senior collegiate prospects and had won seven consecutive matches, including successive one-goal victories against Montebello, Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara. The Bruins also had defeated San Diego power Coronado and Corona del Mar, 7-6, during the stretch.

But behind their 2-meter attack, the primary junior-led Sea Kings (5-3) broke a 2-2 deadlock at the half by outscoring the Bruins, 6-1, in the final two periods. The defending tournament champion Sea Kings play No. 2 Foothill in Saturday's semifinal at 11:45 a.m. at Newport Harbor.

“Our 2-meter girls were on fire,” said Van Hiel, a versatile junior attacker who scored a match-high four goals.

Kaczmarek made her first two starts on Friday. Corona del Mar coach Aaron Chaney said the junior impressed him last week in a junior varsity game against Newport Harbor, and in practice.

Chaney said the Kaczmarek's presence helped take the pressure off Kennedy, another junior.

“They obviously played with a lot more vigor in the second half,” Long Beach Wilson coach Tony Martinho said of Corona del Mar.

In other quarterfinal matches:

No. 2 Foothill 11, No. 7 Santa Margarita 3: After defeating the Eagles by two goals last week, the Knights (5-1) scored the first six goals en route to the victory at Corona del Mar.

No. 1 Newport Harbor 9, Santa Barbara 2: Mimi Bury scored three goals as the host Sailors (7-0) advanced to Saturday's semifinals (10:40 a.m.). They will face Dos Pueblos (5-1) and touted freshman Kiley Neushul.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com