WALNUT – In a thrilling lead-up to the CIF Southern Section Division 5 finals, the Chaparral Pumas girls water polo team demonstrated why they earned the top seed, advancing through the playoffs with sheer dominance to set the stage for a must-see showdown against Troy High School.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, at Mt. San Antonio College, the Pumas aimed to clinch the title in a highly anticipated match. Chaparral, boasting an impressive 19-3 record, headed into the finals having outplayed every opponent. Their playoff journey began with a resounding 16-5 victory over Diamond Bar, followed by decisive wins against West Covina and Santa Fe, with scores of 13-5 and 12-5, respectively.
The semifinals saw Chaparral face off against Paloma Valley, the No. 4 seed and Sunbelt League champion. The Pumas continued their winning streak, handily defeating their local rivals with a commanding 13-5 scoreline, ensuring their spot in the finals.
Troy High School, representing the Freeway League with an at-large bid, proved to be a formidable force in the playoffs. The Warriors racked up an enviable 23-7 record, with playoff victories that include a 14-7 win against Segerstrom, a staggering 13-1 triumph over Don Lugo, a 10-6 success against Malibu, and a nail-biting 9-8 win against Los Altos in the semifinals.
“As long as we play our game, there shouldn’t be any surprises that we aren’t ready for,” Puma head coach Josh Stone said of the Troy Warriors prior to the match starting. “We played them earlier season, and even though it went our way, we aren’t taking them lightly that’s for sure.”
As things got underway, Stone and his girls certainly didn’t let things get away as the two teams battled it out in a back-and-forth affair for the championship. Julie Neal would strike first on her second shot attempt for Chaparral, tying the game at 1-1 early in the first period. From there, it was truly a clash of titans as two of the strongest teams in the division vied for the ultimate accolade. When the final buzzer sounded, Chaparral clinched the Division 5 girls’ water polo championship title with an exhilarating 11-8 victory.
The finals saw Chaparral’s top-notch seniors Natalia Ferrette, Aidan Mante, and Neal control the water, alongside junior Ariah Martinez, who helped spearhead the team to glory. Martinez netted seven goals for the Pumas as keeper Holly Handler registered 12 saves inside the cage. Helping secure the program’s first-ever section title, the Pumas showcased their depth with Toni Munguia, Audrey Benedict, Kristina Gamaley, Sophia Chen, Avary Guge, Braelyn Davis, Bryn Ankney, and Sophia Toschak each playing pivotal roles in conquering their playoff run.
“This win encapsulates a season of hard work, strategy, and undying spirit,” added Stone.
The victory firmly establishes the Chaparral Pumas as a force to be reckoned with in the aquatics arena as the CIF State SoCal Regional girls’ water polo championships lurk in the near future. Selected teams, which should include Chaparral and Troy, will kick things off with first-round action Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m.
Chaparral, the No. 2 seed, will take on Granada Hills Charter to open up the single elimination tournament with the Regional Semifinals set to take place Friday, Feb. 23, at Mt. San Antonio College, and the Regional Finals set for the following day on Saturday, Feb. 24, also at Mt. San Antonio College.
For more detailed information visit www.cifstate.org/sports/waterpolo.
