CdM's counter ruthless

Bailey's Sea Kings again missed senior captain Maddie Schwartz. She's missed the past two games after an injury suffered in practice Tuesday. Schwartz has a brace on her right index finger, but Bailey said she could be back in the pool soon.

"She's given so much energy and so much passion for her team and her teammates," Bailey said. "For her to not have an opportunity to play these last two games is really hard on her."

What it's done, however, is give CdM a chance to show off its depth. Junior Diana Murphy also had a goal and sophomore Morgan Stewart finished off the team's scoring Friday, finding the back of the net from about seven meters out with 2:26 left in the game.

"Even the bench players came out and ran everything the way that we were practicing," Bailey said. "Credit their hard work in practice, credit their concentration and attention to detail. I think the girls are all playing with a lot of confidence in their ability and their teammates."

The Sea Kings held Foothill's Jessie Porter scoreless although Porter, the Knights' leading scorer, did have three steals. Sophomore Nicole Stansfield led the way for Foothill with four goals.

Papa said she's glad CdM was able to win difficult nonleague games against Laguna Beach and Foothill this week, coming off the Sea Kings' second-place finish in the Holiday Cup. They open Pacific Coast League play at home against Northwood on Wednesday before heading to the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions next weekend.

CdM is considered a big favorite to win its 12th straight Pacific Coast League title.