Girls water polo loses in CIF

By Hannah Proctor
Staff Writer

Mira Costa girls water polo lost its first and final game in CIF playoffs on Wednesday against Dos Pueblos at Dos Pueblos, 17-6. With its season officially over, the team looks back on a winning record both overall and in Bay League.

“Our loss was mainly due to the fact that we were playing a very good team,” senior captain Samantha Horn said. “They took advantage of our mistakes, and they played offense and defense in a slightly different way.”

Costa played from behind the whole game but never gave up on a comeback. Despite the loss, the players are aware of their successes this season and plan to build on that success in their future seasons.

“We played hard the whole game and didn’t give up,” Horn said. “I think that we could have been a little bit more aware on defense and looked to help out our teammates a little bit more.”

Goalie senior Bianca Magno blocked a total of 10 shots throughout the game, sophomore Jordan Raney scored three of the team’s six goals, and junior Sarah Crist and junior Emily Milstead also played well. Magno consistently played well throughout the season, blocking more than half of the shots fired at her.

“I think in the game today we could have been more focused, and it was a bummer to lose,” Magno said.

Costa tied for first in Bay League throughout the season with Palos Verdes; Costa and Palos Verdes split the season series, handing each other its only Bay League loss.

“One low was when we lost to Palos Verdes,” Horn said. “If we had won, we would have gotten first in the league and not tied for first. It was a day when most of our team was sick, and we just let the game slip away from us.”

With the loss to Dos Pueblos, Costa’s season came to an end, but with a winning record and first place in Bay League, the team attempts to focus on the positives of the season rather than the negatives.

“Overall, I think it was a really great season,” Horn said. “Everyone came ready to play, and we really stepped up our game and played some really solid games. We played some good teams, and we showed them our strength.”