Mesa gets job done

Costa Mesa came right back when Nuñez earned an exclusion, called for the ball and scored before the Estancia defense could recover. Marty scored another six-on-five goal with 47 seconds left in the third quarter, helping the Mustangs to an 11-4 lead.

“Six-on-fives made a big difference,” Estancia Coach Jennifer Perry acknowledged. “I think the girls played hard and did all they could. They did really well in terms of their endurance in the game ... This is just such a tough game for us. It’s high-tension. The girls get really worked up about it.”

Bowen made 10 saves for Mesa, including one on a penalty shot. Williams had two goals and four steals for the Mustangs, and sophomore Kayci Decker added a goal and an assist.

Sophomore Hannah Speer, junior Liz Simpson, Marty and Williams also combined on the defensive end to limit the Eagles.

“We really worked on transition,” Postiff said. “Marty and [Williams] both scored on transition goals, which is really nice, getting those counterattack goals. And Kayci contributed on the six-on-five with her goal. She’s really stepped it up in the last three weeks as a player. She’s contributing a lot to what we’re doing.”

Senior Meagan Kunert had two goals and three steals for Estancia, which has yet to beat its cross-town rival in girls’ water polo. But, after the game, it was clear the respect the programs had for each other.

“We did not overlook them, that’s for sure,” Marty said. “We knew we needed to come in here and win today to get to CIF, and that’s been our goal all along. They were a strong team, and a good team, but we didn’t quit.”

Mesa plays at Canyon today to close out its regular season, then waits for the CIF pairings to be announced Sunday at 11 a.m.

Orange Coast League

Costa Mesa 13, Estancia 7

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Est – H. Kunert 3, M. Kunert 2, Peters 1, Andrews 1. Saves – Kaplan 5.

CM – Nuñez 4, Rendon 4, Williams 2, Marty 2, Decker 1. Saves – Bowen 10.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.