STORY AND VIDEO BY MATT SIMON
After a frustrating weekend at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, the Long Beach Wilson girls water polo team put together one of its best defensive performances of the season against Long Beach Poly on Wednesday.
Behind stellar play from goalkeeper Zoe Seaboch, the Bruins defeated the Jackrabbits 19-2.
Seaboch had seven saves as she stifled the Jackrabbits with help from her teammates.
“I can’t do anything unless my defense is there,” Seaboch said. “It’s great to have a strong defense. I’m glad that my girls are starting to hit a groove and we can win together.”
Maegan Simon scored three goals as the Bruins took a 5-1 after the first quarter. Along with Simon, eight other players scored.
“It was good to get this win in this pool,” Wilson coach Barry O’Dea said. “They play really tough here and this is a tough place to play in.”
O’Dea was happy to see Seaboch continue to grow in the cage and anchor Wilson’s defense.
“Zoe is really starting to come alive since Christmas break,” O’Dea said. “We’ve been putting a little more emphasis on her play and she has stepped up to the challenge.”
For the Jackrabbits it was a disappointing performance, but coach Brandon D’Sa credited strong play by Wilson.
“It hurts tonight, it always hurts to lose to your rival,” D’Sa said. “They played incredibly well today, they were really on their game. I got to give it to them.”
Poly will be back in action Thursday when it hosts Esperanza, while Wilson will host Esperanza on Friday.
