CdM wins title in dramatic fashion

The Corona del Mar High girls’ water polo team came out on top after another Battle of the Bay classic. The Sea Kings beat Newport Harbor, 5-4, in sudden-death triple overtime to win the Summer Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara this weekend.

Cassidy Papa scored the game-winning goal from six meters out 3 minutes, 45 seconds into sudden-death triple overtime.

CdM scored first when Pippa Saunders delivered on a penalty shot. Newport followed with four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 halftime lead.

But CdM goalie Alex Musselman led the defense, shutting out the Sailors the rest of the way. The defensive effort allowed CdM’s offense to climb back into the game. Goals by Lauren Marks and Maddie Schwartz put CdM within one goal, 4-3, before Musselman hit Saunders on a counterattack to tie the game, 4-4, late in the fourth quarter.

The game remained deadlocked, 4-4, through the first two overtime periods before Papa scored the game winner. CdM’s road to the final included victories over Laguna Beach and Dos Pueblos.

The tournament championship was Sam Bailey’s first since taking over as the CdM girls’ water polo coach last month. The information from the tournament was provided by an e-mail from Tamra Greenlee.

CdM and Newport Harbor will be competing in the California High School State Championships to be held at pools throughout Orange County, Friday through Sunday. Newport Harbor is the defending champion.

— Reader submission