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Girls water polo: Sea Kings sickness gives Santa Margarita the win

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - Like the flu bug that has recently struck the

Corona del Mar girls water polo team, Santa Margarita left the Sea Kings

sickened with a 7-4 nonleague loss, Saturday at CdM’s pool.

Yet, health is just about the only concern for CdM (9-9) these days.

The Sea Kings had opportunities to take advantage against the No. 4 team

in Orange County.

The Eagles (10-6) built a 5-1 lead in the first 11 minutes, which proved to be too much for CdM. But, the Sea Kings scored two goals in a

42-second span of the fourth period to pull their deficit to 6-4 with

1:42 remaining.

Santa Margarita, however, ran out the clock and scored on a penalty

shot to ensure victory.

“No excuses, but we’re definitely not there physically,” CdM Coach

John Vargas said. “We haven’t had to run a (full team) practice in almost

two weeks because we’ve had so many girls sick.”

CdM seniors Lindsey Daley and Malia Tarayao are the only starters who

have stayed away from the flu. Both scored one goal each.

Vargas said Sea King sophomore Danielle Carlson played with a

102-degree temperature in a 6-5 win over Santa Monica, Monday.

“For her to even be playing is just amazing,” Vargas said of Carlson,

who scored CdM’s final goal on a touch pass from Christina Hewko. “She’s

just a stud. With Hewko, this is like the third time I’ve seen her in two

weeks. And, Carlson hasn’t been working out all week, too.”

Hewko finished with four steals, providing the defense for CdM to make

a comeback. But, the Eagles thrived on their 5-1 cushion. They connected

on five of their first six shots, yet committed 10 turnovers on their

other possessions.

“We turned the ball over too much,” Santa Margarita Coach Scott Taylor

said. “I don’t have too much to say. I’m kind of frustrated with this.

But, CdM is always competitive, that’s why we like to play them.”

CdM sophomore Daniella DiGiacomo, who finished with two steals and an

assist, scored with 24 seconds remaining before halftime. On a player-up,

Carlson heaved a shot at Santa Margarita’s cage, but it was slapped away

by goalie Kristen Carfoli who finished with 12 saves. DiGiacomo was there

for the rebound and quickly threw it in with Carfoli out of position.

The Sea Kings increased their defensive pressure in the second half,

holding the Eagles to just one goal in each period. CdM goalie Jessica

Wells finished with six saves, four in that second half.

Newport Harbor co-coach Bill Barnett watched through a video camera as

he stood on the rooftop above CdM’s scoreboard. He may have gotten a good

idea of Santa Margarita. But, the Sea Kings’ play might have been

deceiving.

Vargas said the Sea Kings were not at 100 % Saturday as some of the

girls were coughing throughout the contest.

“Even not being healthy, 7-4, that’s not too bad,” Vargas said.

“Hopefully, we’re over all this stuff. I’d rather have us get sick now

than in (the CIF playoffs).”

CdM’s problems with the flu has not damaged its standing in the

Pacific Coast League as the Sea Kings have opened with a 2-0 lead. Next

week, they plan to be at full strength for the Irvine Tournament.

“We just want to get healthy, that’s our biggest concern,” Vargas

said. “The water polo stuff will take care of itself. I feel confident, I

just want them to get healthy.”

NONLEAGUE

Santa Margarita 7, Corona del Mar 4

Santa Margarita 3 2 1 1 - 7

Corona del Mar 0 2 0 2 - 4

Santa Margarita - Katy Kunkel 2, Figge 2, Kacy Kunkel 1, Kr. Kunkel 1, Peyrebrune 1.

Saves - Carfioli 12.

Corona del Mar - Daley 1, DiGiacomo 1, Tarayao 1, Carlson 1.

Saves - Wells 6.

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