Girls water polo wins against Palos Verdes High 6-5

by Ty Soria

Girls water polo edged out a win against Palos Verdes (PV) 6-5 on Tuesday, Jan. 24, giving the girls an overall record of 10-12 and a Bay League record of 3-1. Although Redondo’s defense shined, head coach Shelby Haroldson knows the ofense can improve.

“We weren't really able to capitalize on a lot of our shot opportunities. [The] selection just wasn't quite there,” Haroldson said.

Entering the second half tied 3-3, Redondo few out of the gate with an immediate goal by freshman Remy Errett. PV retaliated with two goals, ending the third quarter 5-4. Senior Mia Calvo scored to tie the game in the fourth and junior Kiley Pierce gave Redondo the lead with 90 seconds left of the game.

Up by one with 28 seconds on the clock, Palos Verdes (PV) received the ball for their fnal possession, freshman Peyton Cardenas waiting patiently at the goal. After burning 8 seconds of the clock to ensure Redondo couldn’t return and score afterward, PV made their move toward the goal and took the shot. With a swift block and save by Cardenas, the girls secured the away win.

“I was pretty nervous throughout the game because it was neck and neck,” Cardenas said. “Especially because if they got that last goal on me then they could have won, but in the end we pulled through and it felt great.”

After the game, a teammate called Cardenas a “brick wall”; a ftting title for the freshman who made ten saves and only let up fve goals this game. After having a fve-game losing streak, the team set their minds straight for the Bay League, winning three in a row.

“We struggled a lot with the defense at the beginning and we just weren't as

It was a really close game and it’s always great when we push through just enough to come away with some of those wins,” motivated as we are now, but we are defnitely doing better with our communication and defense.”

Haroldson agrees that the team has improved vastly over the past month and that their “hard work” over winter break is paying of. The next day, the girls faced of against Mira Costa for their fnal Bay League game. In their previous matchup, they lost to Costa 4-14.

“I mean, that was over a month ago and we are a totally diferent team than we were in the beginning of the season. So we're looking forward to hopefully a close game.”

Though the team was hot in the past week, the girls lost to Costa 7-6. Although they couldn’t beat their division rival in their fnal regular season game, the sharp contrast in the score between their frst and second matchup against Costa boosts their confdence going into CIF.

“It was a really close game and it’s always great when we push through just enough to come away with some of those wins,” Haroldson said.

Tie-breaker Takedown

Boys soccer loses to Culver City High School in a nail-biting overtime resulting in a close 1-0 loss

by Victor Simoes

Boys soccer fell to Culver City 1-0 in a tight defensive showdown on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The game was close, with strong defense from both sides holding the score at 0-0 until overtime.

The previous game against Culver City resulted in a Redondo victory. With the home feld advantage also, the day seemed to lean towards Redondo. The game started of with small moves and a close shot by senior Kyan Panis, forward. Later, a push by forward Jeremy Gonzalez, senior, allowed Panis to make a run, but he fell before he could complete the play.

“At the beginning of the game, we were dominating them, but throughout the game, we couldn't really put a stamp on the

“We weren't creating enough quality chances up top,” Davis said.

As the second half drew on, many other attempts came steps away from success, but a strong defense and lackluster conditions hampered Redondo’s abilities.

Frustration and tension were mounting as the overtime neared without a goal. The players, urgent to get a goal in before the shot was again blocked and junior Jamie Vasquez sent the ball forward, but Culver City recaptured the ball. From a little beyond the box, Culver City’s team was able to shoot the ball, sending over Redondo’s defenders, past the goalies raised hands and into the net, fnishing the game 0-1.

“It's just an unlucky break that they have the chance and then they capital ize of of it,” Wood said.

Expectations for Redondo are at an extreme high coming from last year's championship, and the boys have a Bay League record of 2-4-1 this season, but all of their losses were by only one goal. They hope to turn around game,” senior Caleb Davis said. end of the game, rushed their moves and played more aggressively.

Defensively, Redondo’s back line—Sebastian Haskel, Ryan Wood and Caleb Davis—neutralized most of Culver City's ofensive plays. The defense was well prepared through the entire game, handling incoming threats well and returning the ball to Redondo’s mid feld and strikers.

“It's just being organized when you're in the back and communicating to your team mates and getting them ready for the next play. Always thinking ahead. Never ball watching, always thinking about what they're gonna do next,” Davis said.

A newly introduced game plan provided opportunity and dynamic play to the feld.

“I think the new formation that we used this game really helped us. We were able to get some of our winger players to help with the pace and give us options up top and we always have our talented midfelders, so I think this new formation that we had really helped,” Wood said.

The second half started with a close shot for Panis, but a quick defensive response gave the goalie time to block.

“We were really hungry for that win. We did a really good job, putting them under pressure the entire game,” Wood said.

Near the end of the 90 minutes, Culver City came close to a goal on Redondo.

Junior goalie Nick Kizlinski blocked the frst shot with a dive, but the ball was left rolling past him and Culver City had an opportunity to score. Within a second, the defense was able to kick the ball out past the goal line, and Culver City had less luck with the corner kick.

“For about 90 minutes, we had them on their back heels.” Wood said.

Senior striker Tyler Busse was again able to bring the ball to a shooting point, but the fnish came short. On the defensive end, Wood was able to close of a push by Culver City before they could approach the goal.

Culver City was then again able to bring back the ball to Redondo’s side, only for Kizlinsky to block the goal. Bringing the ball back from the corner, Culver City’s in the next game against Santa Monica on Friday, Jan. 27.

“It defnitely gave us very big shoes to fll. And I think, you know, it's defnitely gonna be a big task to try to live up to such a good season last year,” said Wood.