Cali Write-Up

Newberg girls team 17th at Modesto tournament
Girls water polo — Tigers more assertive in compiling 3-2 record against high-level competition
By: Seth Gordon Published: 10/20/2010 1:49:27 PM
Last Updated: 10/21/2010 4:55:32 PM

MODESTO, Calif. — Each year, Newberg coach Jim McMaster preps his team for the state championships by pitting them against the best squads in the country at the Modesto Western States Invitational.

The Tigers have struggled a bit this season, according to the high standards that come with five consecutive state championships, but took a step forward in going 3-2 to place 17th at the annual tournament.

“The one thing we did gain out of that was that they became more aggressive,” McMaster said. “They were being more aggressive as opposed to passive, which is good in this sport.”

Newberg opened with a 13-2 loss to eventual tournament runner up Los Llomas, Calif., but rebounded to edge Merced, Calif., 7-6.

McMaster said the Tigers played well enough to beat Ponderosa, Calif., but couldn’t generate enough offense and fell 7-5.

Newberg closed the tournament with a 7-6 win over Tokay, Calif., before clipping Lincoln of Stockton, Calif., 5-4.

Goalie Meghan O’Halloran helped keep the Tigers in those close games with 39 blocks for the tournament.

Alysha Bush led the offense with 15 goals and nine assists for the tournament. McMaster said he was pleased at how his top three players stepped up to lift the team.

Cassie Beecher added eight goals and two assists and Alexis Vargas had three goals and seven helpers.

“Alysha, shooting-wise, stepped up well,” McMaster said. “Cassie had some good counterattacks and Alexis played some really good defense. Right now she’s more of a threat defensively than she is offensively. If she gets the offensive part down, she’ll be tough, but defense wins games.”

The Tigers prepped for the tournament with a 17-9 win over Hillsboro on Oct. 13, with Bush scoring five goals and Beecher four.

Newberg returned from California to rip Forest Grove 12-2 Monday at the Chehalem Aquatic Center. Bush and Beecher combined to score nine goals and Vargas added three goals and two assists in the win.

The Tigers travel to Lakeridge for a 7 p.m. game tonight (Wednesday) and close the regular season at home Oct. 25 versus Tigard.