Aviana Cavaiola (3, white cap) tries to back
her way toward the goal as she is defended
by JSerra's Kylin Barnes (14, black cap)
in the second half Tues., Dec. 9.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper
La Jolla's girls water polo team has been on the top looking down this season (for example, LCC four days before), and Tuesday, Dec. 9's match was definitely the opposite experience as the Vikings traveled the 60 miles to San Juan Capistrano and were humbled by national superpower JSerra, 21-7.
Coach Ethan Damato's first-year team--he having moved over from club water polo--dominated the talented but striving Vikes. LJ coach Tom Atwell kept to mostly his rotation players, while his opposite subbed in every player on the roster as the lead ballooned.
The Lions sped off to a quick 4-0 lead in the first three-plus minutes, behind authoritative goals from junior Kylin Barnes, senior Sloane Paulson, Barnes again--firing a shot off goalie Lucia Vega's arm--and senior Maddy Weston.
La Jolla attacker Cora Pfau stopped the bleeding for a second with her own score from the point. Freshman Carys Villano added another two minutes later, at 1:33 left in the first period, to edge back, 4-2.
Teammate Avi Cavaiola, with Pfau looked to for a lot of production, was having a difficult time getting situated in the center, and being open enough to receive a pass. JSerra defenders were aggressive, physical, on top of players they were guarding--leaving no room to maneuver.
LJ's Taylor Goldstein (white cap) is heavily
covered by Skylar Shin (17, black cap, right)
and Sloane Paulson (far left) of JSerra during
the first half.
It was more than being being pushed back on their heels. The visitors were watching, as the Lions began forcing errors, stealing passes, and scoring on fastbreaks.
Barnes, after her hard shot off Vega's arm, toyed with her with a soft touch, a lob on a breakaway goal for 7-2 later in the second quarter. The PA announcer commented on another gentle score, "If the lob isn't broken, don't fix it."
Atwell's squad is going to have to increase their physicality against elite teams. Villano, starting or being inserted early in games so far in the early season, and Mackenzie, among the four freshmen on the roster, will have to adjust to the faster speed of the game and the physical aspect.
The coach commented at the Rancho Bernardo Tournament last weekend that Cathedral Catholic is improved. The other Western League contender, Bishop's, brings back its team that has won 13 league titles in a row.
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