Another big win for CdM

CORONA DEL MAR — The Santa Barbara defense gave Corona del Mar High girls' water polo junior Genevieve Weed a bit of space Saturday afternoon.

Time was running down in the nonleague game at CdM, the host Sea Kings clinging to a one-goal lead. The shot was there for Weed if she wanted to take it.

Not only did she take the straightaway shot from just outside five meters, she buried it into the upper-left corner. In one moment, the dedication Weed had showed in the offseason paid off.

The Sea Kings would definitely take the goal, the final one of the game. It gave them a bit of breathing room in a 7-5 victory.

It was Weed's second goal of the game, which tied for the team-high. She also led CdM (2-0) with a pair of steals.

Corona del Mar, ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division I, is a team with five certifiable standouts returning from last year. Teams still can't look past Weed, the first-year starter.

"She's progressed the furthest in the offseason," CdM Coach Sam Bailey said. "She's got a great arm, she's got really strong legs, she's athletic. I think one thing that's especially impressive is her smarts. She's at least a 4.0 [grade-point average] student, she takes AP classes. Academically, she gets it done, and her intuition and ability to process the game really make her a valuable component to both our offense and our defense."

Weed helped CdM beat their second straight Santa Barbara-area foe, after ending three-time defending Division I champion Dos Pueblos' 68-game winning streak Friday night.

Santa Barbara (0-2) is also a tough opponent. The Dons are ranked No. 3 in Division I. Saturday's game was a rematch of last year's Division I quarterfinal, won by CdM, 10-5.

Juniors Ally McCormick and Cassidy Papa had taken their SAT test at CdM on Saturday morning. They still stayed hot in the pool. McCormick scored the first two goals of the game for the Sea Kings, who then outscored the Dons, 4-1, in the second quarter to take a 6-3 halftime lead.

Papa scored twice in the second, while Weed and Cal-bound senior Pippa Saunders (penalty shot) added goals.

Santa Barbara Coach Mark Walsh was frustrated late in the half when a pass went into the end line on the Dons' six-on-five, causing a turnover. Walsh dropped the ball he was holding and simply crossed his arms.