The562’s coverage of water polo & swimming is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The CIF-SS girls’ water polo playoffs started on Tuesday night, with three Moore League teams in action. Here’s a look at how each of the local teams fared in their playoff openers:
Division 3
Long Beach Poly 15, Brea Olinda 7
The Jackrabbits traveled for their first round matchup and picked up a solid victory over the Wildcats, jumping out to a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter before leading 10-3 at halftime.
Ariel Cordova scored 6 times to lead the way for Poly, while Anna Mor added four goals and Jackie Hahn chipped in a pair. Cordova, Mor and Marcy Leonor each had three steals for the Jackrabbits defensively, while goalie Sienna Groves had nine saves in the cage.
Poly will be at home for Thursday’s second round, hosting a La Habra team that defeated Chino Hills, 9-5, in their playoff opener. The Jackrabbits will play at 5 p.m. but a host site is yet to be determined.
Division 5
Lakewood 13, Chino 6
The No. 2 seed Lancers went on the road and earned a relatively comfortable first round win. Lakewood had just a 5-3 lead at halftime, but pulled away in the second half to more than double up their hosts.
Senior Brooke Baze scored 6 goals to lead the way for the Lancers. Freshman Kyley Seeds had a hat trick, Meilani Kerr scored twice, and Madison Gageby and Leilani Sanchez each chipped in one goal apiece. Goalie Marley Isaacson had six saves and four steals to anchor the defense.
The Lancers will host Warren in Thursday’s second round after the Bears earned a 4-0 win over Nordhoff on Tuesday.
Division 6
Paloma Valley 13, Cabrillo 3
Cabrillo lost its wild card matchup on the road, but still left the pool in good spirits after making program history this season. This was the first ever playoff game for Cabrillo girls’ water polo, and Aalanah Edwards led the way with 14 saves.
Malena Maestas scored twice for the Jags, Vivian Alderete scored the other goal and Sofia Villamizar had a pair of steals.
