Ramona Girls Water Polo Team Falls Short in Semifinals

The Ramona girls water polo team concluded their remarkable season with a narrow 12-11 overtime defeat to La Canada High School in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 semifinals on March 12, 2024. This loss, while disappointing, capped a historic campaign for the Rams, who had only four previous playoff victories in the program’s history.

Entering this season, Ramona had never advanced beyond the second round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs in six attempts. The 2023-24 team, however, demonstrated resilience and determination, nearly doubling their playoff wins in this single season. Coach Cindy Robinson praised her players for their commitment, stating, “They played together like a family, which is the way it should be. All the work I threw at them, they never batted an eye.”

Throughout the match, Ramona (18-10) showcased their tenacity. After facing a scoring drought and trailing by two goals entering the fourth period, they managed to force overtime. The team’s spirit shone through, particularly as they battled back from adversity. Senior player Lillian McIntosh reflected on the team’s growth, noting, “The positivity rubbed off on one another and helped bring us as high as we were able to go.”

The game began with an intense exchange of goals, with Ramona goalie Elizabeth Betancourt even scoring from the length of the pool, stunning the crowd. By halftime, the Rams held a 7-5 lead thanks to key goals from Monique Sanchez and Ixabela Whitlock, who contributed penalty shots from the 5-meter line.

Despite their advantage, Ramona struggled with power plays, converting only 1 of 7 attempts throughout the match. Robinson acknowledged this ongoing challenge, stating, “That has been our nemesis all season. We probably work on that more than anything else, but we just can’t seem to execute it.”

In the third quarter, La Canada turned the tide. Led by Sophia Korshakovsky, who scored three goals, the Spartans took a 9-7 lead into the final quarter. However, Ramona’s determination prevailed as they ended a 12-minute scoring drought with a crucial goal from McIntosh, bringing them within one.

With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Whitlock capitalized on a rebound to tie the game, demonstrating the Rams’ fighting spirit. The overtime period featured two 3-minute sessions, during which both teams exchanged goals. Each time La Canada took the lead, Ramona responded, showcasing their resilience.

Ultimately, La Canada’s winning goal came after a timeout. Mina Sadeghi, who had already scored earlier in overtime, received a well-timed pass from Isabella Kurs and made a decisive shot from six meters away. “It was just confidence,” Sadeghi remarked about her performance.

Despite the loss, Coach Robinson emphasized the importance of the experience. “Their dream of winning a CIF championship ended here tonight, but their dreams of life continue. This will only help them on that journey,” she said, highlighting the team’s heart and determination throughout the season.

Korshakovsky finished as the match’s top scorer with six goals for La Canada. Sadeghi added three more, while goalkeeper Isabella Andrew recorded nine saves. For Ramona, Whitlock and Sanchez were the standout scorers, netting four and three goals respectively. Betancourt’s performance in goal was particularly noteworthy, with a match-high 16 saves.

The Rams leave the season with their heads held high, having overcome significant challenges and made history along the way.