Sports
Laguna Beach Topples Newport Harbor, Advances to Semifinals
Jessie Holechek's four goals lead Breakers past fourth-seeded Lady Sailors, 7-3, in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.
The Outcome... Laguna Beach 7, Newport Harbor 3
The Breakers hosted Newport Harbor Friday afternoon in a battle of county elites and ensured their successful season would continue with an impressive all-around performance in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls water polo playoffs. Laguna Beach (22-7) limited an accomplished Sailors squad, seeded fourth in the division, to one goal in the first half and sealing the deal with a strong defensive performance.
Jessie Holechek helped Laguna Beach bury their visitors early with three first-quarter goals. The senior wound up with four goals, upping her total to 10 postseason scores in two games.
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“Jessie came out ready to fire today,” Breakers coach Ethan Damato said. “She’s a four-year starter for us, a senior captain and one of the best players I’ve ever been around. I think she wanted to make sure we had another game.”
The Turning Point... Breakers Swiftly Answer Sailors’ First Score
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Laguna Beach senior Riley Duncan provided immediate retaliation less than a minute after Maddy McLaren notched Newport Harbor’s first goal of the game. Duncan scored with time in the first half dwindling to extend the Breakers’ advantage to 5-1 at intermission.
The goal allowed Laguna Beach to seize back whatever momentum the Sailors hoped to salvage heading into halftime.
The Difference... Laguna Beach Avoided Defensive Lapses
The Breakers have held a tight grip on opposing offenses recently, and that trend continued against Newport Harbor (23-6). The Sailors managed only three goals, matching the highest score posted against Laguna Beach in its last four contests.
A majority of the Sailors’ attacks were quickly truncated before a shot could even be put toward the net.
“It was the best defensive game we played all year,” Damato said. “We did a good job of pressing when we needed to, staying sharp, and I thought our girls did a great job of limiting [Newport Harbor’s] chances.”
It was Over When... Jessica Shusko Buried the Sailors Late in the Third Period
Shusko sent in a laser from 10 meters out to put the Breakers ahead, 7-1, with eight minutes remaining in the match. With the way Laguna Beach’s defense executed, the six-goal deficit may have been a death knell.
Even when Newport Harbor was able to find space inside, Breakers goalkeeper Etianne Manetta made the sensational saves look routine.
The senior stopped 12 shot attempts, including nine in the second half, to repeatedly stymie the Sailors' comeback efforts. Damato is well aware of how pivotal great goalie play is in the postseason.
“It’s a lot easier to play defense when you know you’ve got a great goalie behind you,” Damato said. “She’s come up big for us all season.”
The Aftermath... Breakers Continue Treacherous Title Hunt
Laguna Beach would be wise to quickly move on from Friday’s victory. A semifinals date with top-ranked Dos Pueblos awaits on Wednesday at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center at Irvine High.
The teams met at the same facility only two weeks ago, when Dos Pueblos (24-0) handily defeated the Breakers, 13-6. The Chargers also beat Laguna Beach, 10-8, in a Jan. 13 home match.
“The road doesn’t get any easier from here,” Damato said. “But we’re excited to continue playing for a championship.”
