A big weekend for Laguna Beach girls’ water polo

Last weekend was a remarkable one for the Laguna Beach girls’ water polo community.

Breakers junior goalkeeper Thea Walsh played in her first tournament with the U.S. women’s senior national team in Davis. At the same time, the Laguna Beach club 12-and-under girls were winning the prestigious San Diego County Cup.

Walsh split time in goal for Team USA at the FINA Intercontinental Tournament, with Laguna Beach senior and Olympian Aria Fischer also playing in the tournament.

Walsh, a Daily Pilot Dream Team selection this past winter after helping the Breakers complete an undefeated season and win their third CIF Southern Section Division 1 title in four years, had some standout games. She made 11 saves in a 10-6 win over Japan and five saves in a shootout win against Australia, including a block in the shootout.

“I thought it was a great experience, playing against all of those other countries and learning their styles of play,” Walsh said in a phone interview. “It was an honor, just really fun and great to represent the USA.”

Team USA finished second in the tournament, losing to Australia, 10-7, in the title game despite two goals from Fischer, including a game-tying goal in the fourth quarter. The American side was young, with just two Olympians in Fischer and Melissa Seidemann. The loss to Australia was the first loss for Team USA’s women’s senior national team since May of 2016.

“Obviously, it always [stinks] to lose, but I was amazed at how far we got considering we had such a young team,” Walsh said. “We knew that some of the other countries had some of their older and former Olympians. They’re going to be older and bigger and stronger, and I thought we did pretty well adapting to those difficulties. We went a long way.”

On the same weekend, Laguna’s 12-and-under girls won the San Diego County Cup, considered the second-biggest club event of the year behind the Junior Olympics. Laguna capped an undefeated run to the title by beating Back Bay, 5-4, in the championship game.

Tournament MVP Cleo Washer, Charlotte Riches and goalie Lauren Schneider made the all-tournament team for Laguna Beach. Riches led the team with three goals in the title game.

Taylor Naughton, Jordan Schneider, Myha Pinto, Ava Knepper, Rebecca Storke, Sara Block, Eleanor Ramsey, Lauren Short, Avery Montiel and Claire Turner also contributed for Laguna Beach, which was coached by Kelcie Ferreira.

Laguna Beach is undefeated in its age group all year, also winning the 12U division in the Evan Cousineau Cup, SPA Championships and Laguna Beach Classic. They also won the 14U division of the OC Cup, and should be the No. 1 seed for the Junior Olympics qualifiers beginning June 2.

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NEWPORT BOYS ALSO DO WELL IN SAN DIEGO

The Newport Beach Water Polo Club 10-and-under boys also performed well at the San Diego County Cup and won gold.

Weston Hartel was tournament MVP for Newport Beach, with Shane Santoni, Colt Bradley, Gabriel Hurley and Kaleb Wood also on the all-tournament team.

The NBWPC 12U “silver” team finished third in the 12A division, and the “blue” team finished second in the 12AA division.

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