Laguna girls cruise in tourney

A busy weekend netted much success for the Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo girls’ 14-and-Under team, as it won five consecutive games in tournament action.

On Saturday, Laguna competed at the Northwood tournament, followed by a Sunday showing at the Capistrano Valley tournament.

Northwood Tournament

Laguna 11, Northwood 1

Laguna’s defense didn’t surrender a goal until late in the fourth quarter in rolling past the host team.

Riley Duncan and Melena Masson paced the Laguna offense with three goals apiece. Jessica Shusko and Kelsey Thorton each contributed two goals and Candyce Schroeder tallied one.

Lida De Groote, Bridget Alvarez and Jesse Holechek each had two assists.

Edy Manetta had several early saves.

Laguna 6, Corona del Mar 3

Laguna overcame poor first-half shooting and its inability to take advantage of extra player advantages to get past Corona del Mar.

Laguna posted the first two goals of the match, the first coming on a shot from out front by Melena Masson followed by a goal by Riley Duncan. Corona del Mar, however, scored just before the buzzer to pull to within 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The teams traded goals in the second quarter. After Corona del Mar scored a tying goal, Kelsey Thorton’s score provided Laguna with a 3-2 halftime edge.

Laguna dominated the third quarter where it outscored Corona del Mar, 3-0, to open up a 5-2 lead. In the quarter, Jessica Schroeder drew kick outs on consecutive possessions and Laguna converted on both occasions, first getting a goal on a tap-in by Masson off a pass from Duncan.

The second was netted by Schroeder who scored to beat the shot clock buzzer off a pass from Jessie Shusko.

Schroeder completed the scoring with her second goal of the match which came early in the fourth quarter.

Laguna advanced to play in the tournament final against their Laguna 16-and-Under counterparts, but the match was not played.

Laguna’s 16-and-Under team had defeated Newport Beach (8-2) and Chino Hills (8-3) in earlier tournament action.

Capistrano Valley Tournament

Laguna cruised to three tournament victories, crushing Corona del Mar (10-1), Central Florida (15-2) and Fallbrook (15-1).

Yoshi Andersen topped Laguna in scoring with 12 goals. Melena Masson scored seven, Jessie Holechek six, Lauren Hampton five, Candyce Schroeder three, Jessica Shusko, Riley Duncan and Kelsey Thorton two each and Edy Manetta one.

Laguna will compete this weekend in the 16s division at the John Hale Tournament hosted at Vista Murrieta High.