Youth polo wins gold

Six matches. Six victories. Gold medals. One team trophy.

Those were the rewards bestowed on the Laguna Age Group Water Polo’s girls’ 14-and-Under team that traveled to Columbia, Mo. Nov. 10-13 to compete at the Speedo Cup, a true-age group national championship tournament sponsored by USA Water Polo.

Squad members earned gold medals and the team a first-place trophy after going 6-0 at the national event. Laguna defeated the North San Diego Stars, Chicago Park District, Santa Barbara, Commerce and rival Los Alamitos in the division final.

“It was a great experience,” said Laguna Coach Chad Beeler who along with assistant coach Ethan Damato, also were awarded gold medals. “This all happened because the girls are dedicated, play well together and work hard.” Laguna received outstanding play throughout the tournament from Candyce Schroeder, Jessie Holechek, Jessica Shusko, Yoshi Andersen, Edy Manetta, Melena Masson, Kelsey Thorton, Riley Duncan, Lyda De Groote, Kaitlyn Waidley, Lauren Hampton and Hannah Lawson.

Laguna 4, Los Alamitos 3

Laguna never trailed in the championship match but a Kelsey Thorton goal with 27 seconds left lifted them to gold.

With 40 seconds left in regulation, Candyce Schroeder made a power move toward the Los Alamitos goal and drew a kick-out. Laguna then worked the ball around the pool in an attempt to set up a good shot, which Thorton nailed.

Laguna’s defense smothered Los Alamitos’ final possession, and Beeler was thrown into the pool by his team in celebration.

Laguna took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter, but a long shot just before the halftime buzzer drew Los Alamitos to within 2-1 at the break.

Los Alamitos managed to tie the score at 2-2 in the third quarter and the teams headed into the final quarter knotted up.

Laguna took the lead again on a shot by Schroeder off a feed from Jessie Holechek with two minutes left. Los Alamitos, though, managed to put a loose ball into the net and tie the score after Laguna had a defensive breakdown in front of its own net.

Laguna 9, Commerce 7

Laguna trailed, 1-0 in the semifinal match, but goals by Jessica Shusko, Melena Masson, Jessie Holechek and two from Candyce Schroeder led to a 5-1 lead. Commerce, however, rallied with the final three goals of the half to pull to within 5-4 at intermission.

Laguna took a 7-6 lead into the fourth quarter after third-quarter goals by Yoshi Andersen and Holechek. Commerce pulled into a 7-7 tie but after a Commerce kick-out, Riley Duncan scored from the wing to put Laguna into the lead for good. Moments later, Duncan found Masson in front and her score gave Laguna a 9-7 lead.

Laguna 6, Santa Barbara 3

In its signature game of the tournament, Laguna used a double-teaming defensive scheme, led by Melena Masson, to defeat Santa Barbara for the first time.

The teams were tied, 1-1 at the half with Laguna getting its lone score on a goal by Kelsey Thorton. Edy Manetta made a key save in the third quarter and shortly thereafter, Jessica Shusko scored on a step-out shot after drawing a foul at the five-meter line, and Laguna had the lead for good at 2-1.

Masson went on to score on a back-handed flip shot off a pass from Candyce Schroeder and Jessie Holechek followed with two goals of her own, to boost Laguna into a 5-3 lead after three quarters.

Holechek scored again on a player advantage midway through the final quarter to compete the scoring.

Laguna 8, Stanford 2

Melena Masson and Jessie Holechek each scored three goals and Yoshi Andersen and Jessica Shusko each once in a second-round win over Stanford.

Laguna 8, North San Diego 3

In a first-round matchup, Yoshi Andersen scored three goals, Jesse Holechek and Candyce Schroeder each twice and Jessica Shusko once in the win over the Stars.

Laguna 14, Chicago Park District 2

Laguna blew past Chicago Park District in another first-round match. Scoring multiple goals for Laguna were Jessie Holechek and Candyce Schroeder with three goals apiece and Jessica Shusko, Kelsey Thorton and Luren Hampton with two each. Key assists came from Lawson and Lyda DeGroote.

Tournament note: Melena Masson was awarded the Maureen O’Toole Award for the Laguna team. The award is given to a player from each tournament team that displays sportsmanship, skill and team play. The award is named for O’Toole — who handed out the awards — considered the greatest-ever player in women’s water polo.