WALNUT — Anaheim’s players huddled near the edge of the pool after the CIF-SS Division 6 girls water polo final Saturday for a spirited cheer.

“Did we do it?” the shouts began. “Did we do it?”

Anaheim delivered an emphatic answer before leaping into the pool to celebrate a 5-3 victory against Nordhoff at Mt. SAC for its first section title in any girls team sport.

The Colonists (12-10) also claimed their first CIF-SS crown in any boys or girls aquatics.

“I’m really excited and just so proud of my team for making it this far,” said Anaheim senior Joscelyn Briseno, who scored two goals.

“I don’t think we expected it but we came in with a lot of confidence and said ‘We’re not done’  because we put in so much hard work.”

With players wearing Anaheim A stickers on their cheeks, the Colonists never trailed.

Senior Rosabelle Estelles scored the final goal of the match with 5:25 left in the third period to give Anaheim a 5-3 lead. Estelles’ second goal answered a strike by Nordhoff (9-11) about 30 seconds earlier.

Anaheim sealed the victory with its defense in the fourth quarter.

Goalie Emily Maldonado, a junior, made one of her 11 saves with 3:30 left.

Estelles added a steal before Anaheim forced a shot clock violation and received a steal by senior Anddi Molina.

Molina added a goal and two assists.

Anaheim coach Denise Osorio said her program’s journey to the title started with the opening of a new on-campus pool in 2019.

The Colonists’ aquatic program soon began a reboot that included the boys finishing as the Division 6 runner-up in 2023.

Anaheim’s girls roster on Saturday featured about a dozen seniors.

“From not having a pool to winning the CIF finals in Division 6, I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this program” said Osorio, her voice cracking with emotion.

“So proud of these girls, how hard they worked. I couldn’t ask for a better school, a better program, a better set of kids and families. … Their hard work pays off.”

As the Division 6 champion, Anaheim with join Division 5 champion El Dorado and several O.C. powerhouses such as Open Division runner-up Newport Harbor in the SoCal regional playoffs next week.

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