Sea Hawks Fall to Mira Costa 12-6, Look to Playoffs

The Redondo Sea Hawks gave the Bay League co-champions all they could handle deep into the third quarter, but couldn’t keep pace in the end, falling 12-6.

“We just got tired, we were pushing as hard as we could and started strong, but just didn’t have enough,” Redondo's Jaycee Baldus said.

The Sea Hawks and Mustangs each struggled to find their offensive rhythm, with Wednesday’s contest going scoreless in the first quarter. 

Sea Hawks goalie Sarah Logan started strong, thwarting numerous Mustangs shots.

In the second quarter, Emily Ewart shook loose from Mira Costa’s Marisa Purcell and found teammate Jaycee Baldus who backhanded a shot into the net to pull the Sea Hawks to within one at 3-2.

“It was a fight out there. We played better than the last time against them and worked more as a team this time around,” Baldus said.

Marisa Purcell scored twice before the half to bring the score to 5-2.

Baldus scored the first goal of the second half with 4:14 left as she rebounded a Tiffany Morales shot and used a touch shot to catch the top of the net.

“I think we are working better as a team and everyone knows more of what each other is trying to do offensively,” Redondo's Julia Uriarte said.

Baldus just missed on her next shot attempt, but instead of the Sea Hawks pulling closer, the Mustangs' Jacqueline Rojas caught fire, scoring three goals in the third quarter to increase the Mustang lead to 8-4.

“It was really close for a while. Our girls played their hardest and kind of lost it toward the end, but I was impressed with their play,” Redondo coach Danielle Berger said.

The Mustangs would continue to find quality scoring chances as leading goal scorer Marisa Purcell added three goals in the fourth to give her seven on the night, leading the way for the 12-6 victory.

Baldus led the way for Redondo Union with three goals, with Morales adding two.

The Sea Hawks finished 4-4 in Bay League play and are advancing to the CIF playoffs by virtue of their third place finish. 

“To this point our season has gone above and beyond our expectations. We played the best teams in our league very tough and are excited for the playoffs,” Uriarte said.

Playoff pairings will be announced Sunday, and the Sea Hawks know they will have a tough test awaiting them.

“We are in the hardest division so we will be up against tough competition immediately,” Berger said.

Bay League members were moved up to CIF’s Division I this season, the highest level for girls water polo.

“The competition will be completely different.  Most likely this level of play will be something that our girls have never seen before,” Berger said.

“We’re just hoping for a good game. We know that we will have a tough team coming up,” Baldus said.