Local scholastic girls water polo teams have their eyes set on CIF play as regular season action wound down.
University City (UC) High ended regular season play with a mark of 12-16 (5-7 league). UC had a tough final stretch, dropping an 11-2 decision to La Jolla. UC’s goalie and starting center defender were both injured and did not play.
The Lady Centurions rebounded with a 14-3 win over Patrick Henry. Backup goalie Amber Van Orman had 22 saves in the two games.
“As far as the season goes, we are right on track to make it to the semifinals (CIF), which has been our goal from the start,” UC head coach Ty Lackey said.
The No. 4 seeded Lady Centurions beat Mission Bay 16-5 in the first round of CIF play. Next they knocked off Mt. Carmel in a tough game that went into overtime before UC prevailed, 10-9.
The Lady Centurions then played Coronado in the Feb. 20 semifinal game. The Lady Islanders won, 14-5, posting eight straight goals before the half.
At La Jolla Country Day School, the Lady Torreys wrapped up regular-season play with a tough loss to league champion Point Loma.
The Lady Torreys took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by sophomore Claire Altree, but could only manage two more goals the rest of the game, eventually losing 14-3. Junior Melanie Kaplan scored the other LJCD goals.
“The Country Day girls finished a great season to build on, as we return our entire varsity lineup next season,” LJCD head coach Nate Heppner noted.