Mira Costa Bay League Co-Champions in Girls Water Polo

Wednesday’s 12-6 victory over rival Redondo Union gave the Mira Costa girls water polo team a share of the Bay League title with a 7-1 record in league, tying Palos Verdes.

The win comes nearly a month after the team lost to PV 14-8. But the team didn’t sulk or lose confidence. Instead, it used the humbling experience to rally.

“Right after our loss to PV," said Marissa Purcell, "we did not get frustrated, we just used that as motivation and I think we’re looking better every week. It was great to accomplish our goal.”

In Wednesday's contest, Redondo and Costa struggled to score, going scoreless in the first five minutes with neither team able to find a consistent rhythm.

“We play such good defense that I think that keeps us in a lot of games when our offense is not great,” Coach Jon Reichardt said.

As they have all season, the Mustangs turned to Purcell who was her usual dynamic self, putting in four first half goals.

Jaycee Baldus' backhand goal pulled the Sea Hawks to within two at 5-3 with 4:14 to play in the third quarter.

Shortly after, the Mustangs found the spark they needed to pull away when senior Jacqueline Rojas put on an offensive clinic in the third quarter.

“We started off a little rocky, and were rushing some shots and threw the ball away, but we adjusted to what they do and found our rhythm,” Rojas said.

Victoria Southwood passed to Rojas who skipped a shot in past Redondo’s Sarah Logan with 2:26 remaining in the third quarter to give the Mustangs a 6-3 lead.

“Coach kept saying to fake out the goalie, and the ball kept coming to me and I was able to score,” Rojas said.

Rojas would then find the back of the net from straight on 30 seconds later. Indeed, Rojas' offensive moves found her scoring again, this time along the near side of the goal, just past the right post for her third straight goal to give the Mustangs an 8-4 lead.

“We have been practicing our 6 on 5 opportunities and my teammate set me up well, "said Rojas. "I have scored two in a row a couple of times, but three was a first for me. It felt great."

“We talk about looking at good goalies and finding where their weaknesses are.  Jacque was prepared and she made it look really easy out there,” Reichardt said.

Purcell would close things out for the Mustangs with three fourth quarter goals to finish the game with seven for Mira Costa, scoring on breakaways, pump-fakes and long range tosses.

“We definitely started slow, we seemed a little nervous," said Purcell. "We weren’t taking good shots early, but played good defense and got some shots to go later on."

The Mustangs most likely will host a first round CIF playoff game by virtue of their Bay League standing, but expect fierce competition from round one on.

“We will play a third place team, but playing in Division I, nobody is going to be easy so we will have to prepare to play our best,” Purcell said.