Irvine Gets Past Santa Barbara for Title

The Irvine girls’ water polo team captured the championship of the Newport Harbor-Corona del Mar Tournament by defeating Santa Barbara, 7-3, Saturday in Newport Beach.

The Vaqueros (12-1), the third-ranked team in the county, advanced to the championship game after defeating San Diego Patrick Henry, 7-6, in double overtime.

“That match was more like the championship game because they had an opportunity to beat us,” Irvine Coach Scott Hinman said. “This game, we were in control.”

Irvine scored its first goal on Mandy Crawford’s penalty shot 16 seconds into the game, but was unable to maintain that lead as Santa Barbara (10-1) tied the score on a goal by Thalia Munro, with two seconds left in the first quarter.

The Vaqueros kept the pressure on in the second quarter, extending their lead to 3-1 on goals by Jaime Pack and Erin Lezak.

Irvine had several opportunities to increase its lead, but Santa Barbara goalkeeper Katelyn Henry made seven of her 19 saves in the quarter.

“[Henry] has a real good feel for the game,” Santa Barbara Coach Mark Walsh said. “She kept us in the game.”

The Dons cut Irvine’s lead to 3-2 on a goal by Molly Gleason, with 4:14 left in the third quarter, but that’s as close as they would come as the Vaqueros then scored four consecutive goals.

“I thought we could hang tough,” Walsh said, “but a three-goal lead was too tough to overcome.”

Irvine’s defense allowed Santa Barbara only nine shots on goal and goalkeeper Kirsten Mayberry had five saves.

The Vaqueros’ offense also proved to be overwhelming, as Irvine took 27 shots on goal.

“Our defense was a big part of [the win],” Hinman said. “But I’m of the mind-set that offense wins championships.”