Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

SANTA ANA — Mater Dei’s powerhouse water polo programs haven’t been known for underdog stories in recent years but its girls team extended a special one Thursday night.

Junior utility player Olivia Krotts scored a career-high nine goals to lead Mater Dei past visiting Santa Margarita 10-8 to take a major step toward capturing the outright Trinity League title.

The Monarchs’ triumph came on the heels of their upset of Orange Lutheran last week and about a month after fourth-year coach Djoko Radunovic announced his resignation at the end of this season because of his new post as the Long Beach City College men’s coach.

Mater Dei’s storylines include being bounced from the semifinals of the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup in late December because of COVID-19 concerns, sudden-death losses to Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran in the spring and the departure in recent seasons of several notable transfers.

Yet, Mater Dei (10-3, 2-0) moved to the brink of an outright league title by sinking the reigning league champion Eagles (9-4, 2-1).

“Our team has overcome so much adversity over the past year,” Krotts said. “I want to win this league title not only for myself but I want to win it for my seniors. I want to win it for my team and I want to win it for my coach. We’ve worked so.”

Krotts showed that desire in scoring all nine goals over the final three periods. She fired a shot from mid-pool in off the side post to give Mater Dei its first lead at 6-5 late in the first half.

With 1:59 left in the third period, Krotts scored the go-ahead goal on one of her four penalty shot conversions off a 5-meter drawn by freshman Kate Sloman. Mater Dei took a 7-6 lead and Krotts closed the period with two strikes from center, including one off an entry-pass from UCLA-bound Genoa Rossi while being nearly submerged.

“I’m so proud of Olivia, who played out of her mind,” said Rossi, the Monarchs’ co-captain with goalie Jada Ward (four saves). “We’ve just stuck together and fought.”

Radunovic credited Rossi for slowing Santa Margarita’s Elizabeth Schneider, who netted two power-play goals in the opening period and finished with a three goals and two assists.

Related Articles

“Genoa played amazing defense,” said Radunovic, whose squad is tied for third in Division 1. “We definitely feel like we have a shot at a CIF title. We’re excited about it.”

Santa Margarita, ranked 12th in Division 1, played without defender Sara Block (illness) but received nine saves and two steals from goalie Isabella Rosensitto.