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    CIF-SS girls water polo playoffs: Previews of the Orange County games in Saturday’s championships
    • February 22, 2025

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    CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO PLAYOFFS

    CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

    Saturday at Mt. SAC, Walnut

    OPEN DIVISION

    Oaks Christian (21-7) vs. Newport Harbor (24-5), 12:10 p.m.

    Outlook: The surprising winners from the dramatic semifinals collide for the third time. Third-seeded Newport Harbor won 2 of 3 matches in the regular season. The series featured two games decided by one goal. The Sailors mix a few seniors with several young players on arguably the deepest roster in the section. Newport Harbor’s strength is its center attack led by Gabby Alexson, a sophomore who scored the winner in double sudden-death overtime against two-time defending champion Orange Lutheran in the semifinals. Oaks Christian junior goalie Alexandra Stoddard had 15 saves in an upset of top-ranked Mater Dei in the semifinals.

    Sabrina Pearson (13) of San Clemente blocks a shot by Hailey Goodwin (12) of Beckman in the CIF-SS Division 1 girls water polo quarterfinal match at Beckman High School in Irvine on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    Sabrina Pearson (13) of San Clemente blocks a shot by Hailey Goodwin (12) of Beckman in the CIF-SS Division 1 girls water polo quarterfinal match at Beckman High School in Irvine on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    DIVISION 1

    San Clemente (22-8) vs. Laguna Beach (19-11), 3 p.m.

    Outlook: The South County schools split a pair of matches during the regular season. San Clemente’s lineup, which mixes youth and experience, is led by UC Santa Barbara-bound Phoebe DeMoss. The senior scored nine goals on as many shots in the semifinals. The Breakers counter in the field with a senior duo of Presley Jones (UCLA) and Kara Carver (USC).

    DIVISION 4

    Troy (16-12) vs. San Dimas (20-8), 9:30 a.m.

    Outlook: Troy, the Freeway League runner-up, has won two matches by one goal and another by two in overtime to reach its second straight final under second-year coach Gary Cheever. The Warriors finished as the Division 5 runner-up last season. San Dimas is a first-time finalist. The Saints took second in the Hacienda League behind Division 1 semifinalist Alta Loma.

    DIVISION 5

    El Dorado (16-12) vs. Santa Paula (17-12 ), 10:50 a.m.

    Outlook: The top-seeded Golden Hawks have reached their first section final since a runner-up finish in 2002. They placed third in the Freeway League. Santa Paula’s run to its first section final includes a second-round win against Segerstrom, which beat El Dorado in the regular season.

    DIVISION 6

    Anaheim (11-10) vs. Nordhoff (9-10), 1:30 p.m.

    Outlook: Junior goalie Emily Maldonado and senior Hannah Grubbs have played well in the Colonists’ trek to their section final. Nordhoff also has reached its first final. The Rangers placed third in the Citrus Coast League, which included second-place Santa Paula.

     Orange County Register 

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