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IRVINE — Edison’s late-game magic seemed to reappear Saturday in the CIF-SS Division 2 girls water polo final.
The Chargers scored the first two goals of the fourth period to take their first lead against top-seeded Yucaipa with just over four minutes left in regulation.
Could No. 2-seeded Edison, coming off a dramatic overtime win in the semifinals, pull off another stunner against a team that had beaten the Chargers a few weeks ago?
Yucaipa delivered an emphatic answer, scoring three goals in the final 4 1/2 minutes to sink the Chargers 5-3 in a defensive duel at the Woollett Aquatics Center.
Members of the Edison girls water polo team have their photo taken with their Runner-Up CIF-SS Division 2 plaque after losing to Yucaipa 5-3 at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa goalkeeper Christine Carpenter blocks a shot on goal during the CIF-SS Division 2 match against Edison at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Shea Tully, left, and Edison’s Lilyanna Larson go after the ball during their CIF-SS Division 2 match at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Shea Tully, left, looks to pass as Edison’s Katelyn Worley attempts a block during their CIF-SS Division 2 match at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Edison girls water polo team hold their Runner-Up CIF-SS Division 2 plaque after losing to Yucaipa 5-3 at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Edison’s goalkeeper Madilyn Ambrose blocks a Yucaipa shot on goal during their CIF-SS Division 2 match at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Yucaipa girls water polo team celebrates with their CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque after defeating Edison 5-3 at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Yucaipa girls water polo team celebrates with their CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque after defeating Edison 5-3 at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Yucaipa girls water polo team and coaches celebrate their CIF-SS Division 2 championship win after defeating Edison 5-3 at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Yucaipa girls water polo team celebrates with their CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque after defeating Edison 5-3 at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Jerzie Jaurigue-Mora, left, puts the pressure on Edison’s Bridget Angelovic during their CIF-SS Division 2 match at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Shea Tully passes the ball during the CIF-SS Division 2 match against Edison at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Edison’s goalkeeper Madilyn Ambrose puts her arms up as Yucaipa’s Shea Tully takes a shot on goal during their CIF-SS Division 2 match at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Edison’s Katelyn Worley takes a shot on goal during the CIF-SS Division 2 match against Yucaipa at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Isabella Landeros, left, looks to pass as Edison’s Lilyanna Larson, right, attempts a block during their CIF-SS Division 2 match at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Edison fans cheer on their team during their CIF-SS Division 2 match against Yucaipa at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yucaipa fans cheer on their team during their CIF-SS Division 2 match against Edison at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yucaipa won 5-3. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
It was a stinging defeat for the Chargers (16-11), who were playing in their first final, but it didn’t take away their sense of accomplishment. Edison coach Nick Graffis patted the heads of his players as they exited the pool and he gave them hugs.
“We love each other,” the seventh-year coach said. “I was proud of them before we stepped foot on the pool deck today and I’m just as proud afterward.
“The results of the game are fun, but everything that happened the last four years for some of them, or however long they’ve been around, that’s the stuff that I’m proud of.”
The opposing goalies certainly influenced the results Saturday with their outstanding play.
Michigan-bound Madie Ambrose made 16 saves for Edison, matching the saves by Yucaipa junior Christine Carpenter, a rising star in the U.S. pipeline system.
Edison took a 3-2 lead early in the fourth period on a rebound goal by sophomore Jillian Van Gemert on the power play and a penalty strike by Loyola Marymount-bound Lilyanna Larson. Senior Lily Worley drew the penalty to set the stage for Larson to score with about 4 1/2 minute left.
But over the next three minutes, Yucaipa (23-9) scored from center, the perimeter and center after a race for a loose ball to take control. Junior Isabella Landeros scored two of the goals.
“We had the momentum,” Worley said of the fourth. “(But) it’s insane how far we’ve come (this season).”
Even against Yucaipa, Edison swam up-stream most of the afternoon. The Thunderbirds earned 10 power plays (converting two) while the Chargers went 1 for 2. Yucaipa also effectively forced Edison to try to beat Carpenter from the perimeter.
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Yet, the outcome still wasn’t clear until deep in the fourth period.
“We had to battle back,” Yucaipa coach Ty Hudson said.
