Attacker Cora Pfau (4), far left, of La Jolla
is blinded by water splashed by Knight
defenders, including Farren Moss (9,
far right). (Photos by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper
Reigning CIF Player of the Year Aileen Shin scored eight goals, as she and her Bishop's teammates showed why they are the number-two water polo team in the nation, downing La Jolla 18-8 Tues., Jan. 20.
Shin, who sat out much of the third and fourth quarters, still led the Knights in scoring as they charged out to a 5-0 lead after one quarter and 8-2 midway through the second period.
The day before, Ian Davidson and Doug Peabody's squad had played national number-one-ranked Mater Dei Santa Ana closely in a 14-10 loss, trailing only 9-8 late in the game.
They brought the same physicality against the Vikings, intruding on space and aggressively denying positioning as they disrupted La Jolla's ability to set up offensive patterns early and dominate on the scoring end.
La Jolla is ranked sixth nationally.
Knight Fiona Salatka (5), guarded by
La Jolla's Stella Tezcan (7), looks for a pass
on the 4-5 side in the first quarter.
Coach Tom Atwell's team regrouped a little to close the gap to 8-3 and 9-4. But Davidson began substituting freely from his stocked roster, still in the first half.
Atwell complained to the referees that Bishop's players were "slapping the water"--apparently to distract or cut visibility across the pool. He was answered by his counterpart, which the near-side official pointed out.
Shin, the First Team All-CIF standout, was inserted for one offensive play in the middle of the third quarter, and seemingly scored a goal at will, sailing a shot over LJ goalie Lucia Vega's head into the corner of the goal, for an 11-5 lead. Davidson and Peabody immediately substituted her out.
Bishop's goalkeeper Edie Nordan was tough in the cage. Lefty Fiona Salatka, starting on the 4-5 side (right side of the imaginary rectangle in front of the goal), and Ava Grandinetti supplied plenty of firepower for the Knights.
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