Ledesma, O'Neal lead Heritage to water polo playoff win

Heritage goalkeeper Alana O'Neal leaps to block a shot on Tuesday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Parker Costin, Correspondent

Heritage High’s girls water polo team secured a massive playoff win against Torrance on Tuesday, 15-7. The Patriots played a very aggressive game both offensively and defensively and that was a big part of their success in the victory.

The Patriots recorded a total of 17 shots on the night, with only two of those shots being saved. The ball possession for the Patriots was smooth as they were able to pass it around quickly, catching the Tartars’ defense sleeping and capitalizing on those offensive opportunities.

The first quarter started off smoothly for the Patriots. They were able to force a clock violation against the Tartars and used that as pressure for the next two defensive possessions, when they allowed only one shot throughout the first half of the period. Sophomore captain Gracie Ledesma started the scoring for the Patriots with her first goal out of six on the night.

Head coach Shannon “Lucky” Stephenson was very impressed with Ledesma’s performance.

“She played great and was able to move the ball around easily to the other girls and was a big piece to tonight’s victory,” he said.

The defensive strength of the Patriots kept putting pressure on throughout the night.

In the second quarter alone, the Patriots were able to create four shot violations against the Tartars, which helped them get the ball back and generate more shot opportunities and goals for themselves. Stephenson had high praise for the defense and for their offensive play as well.

“I felt that I knew our conditioning would kick in at some point and it did, as our girls were able to generate more stamina and energy just as the other team was starting to get fatigued and tired,” Stephenson said. “We did great forcing turnovers and steals, and our goalie tonight was a huge help for us in the net.”

Sophomore Alana O’Neil was great in the net for the Patriots. She was able to stop 10 out of 17 shots and was a cornerstone to Tuesday night’s win. A key save of hers came in the second period, when she was able to leap up and reject a shot that would have cut the Patriots’ lead back to just one.

Late in the third quarter, junior Sophia De La Torre was able to get a breakaway, which left her one-on-one with the goalie. She was able to pump fake and then score, which was the goal that would seal the game for the Patriots. They allow only one more goal to the Tartars, which wouldn’t happen until the final minute of the fourth period.

O’Neal was named the Player of the Game. She had 10 blocks and 1 assist. Taylor Gruender had 2 goals and 5 assists.

The Patriots look to continue their momentum into the second round of the CIF playoffs on Friday against Norte Vista at a site to be determined. Stephenson feels that they have the skill and mindset to continue winning.

“We’re going to play each match-up as we see fit, such as putting fast girls onto fast girls and so on,” he said. “We’re on an eight-game win streak now and we don’t see that stopping anytime soon. We’re gonna keep on applying pressure and continue to shoot whenever we get the opportunities and go on from there.”

In a Division 4 first-round game, Paloma Valley lost on the road to Ayala, 13-6.

Taylor Gruender takes a shot during Heritage's playoff victory. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Sophia De La Torre moves in close for a shot for the Patriots. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

Gracie Ledesma looks to pass during Tuesday's playoff game. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)