Bishop’s School secures seventh straight CIF-San Diego Section Open Division girls water polo title; Rancho Bernardo, Cathedral Catholic and Ramona also victorious

The Bishop’s School of La Jolla extended its own record Saturday night with a seventh consecutive CIF-San Diego Section Open Division girls water polo championship, holding off a late Carlsbad rally to produce a 10-8 victory at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex.

The Knights (18-10) knocked off Carlsbad (18-11) for the second year in a row in the finals and the fifth time during their run of Open Division dominance.

It was the 10th Open Division title for Bishop’s since the bracket was added to the San Diego postseason schedule in 2015.

Bishop’s School girls water polo team | Photo courtesy of Bishop’s School

The Knights captured their 14th section crown in the past 15 years, including Division 3, and have won 21 girls water polo championships overall since 2000 under coaches Doug Peabody and Ian Davidson.

Peabody achieved the 33rd section title in his illustrious career, including boys water polo.

Fiona Salatka and Aileen Shin both scored four goals apiece for Bishop’s, which trailed early, before grabbing a 5-4 halftime advantage.

Sydney Hagan and Shin produced goals for the Knights to open the third quarter and Bishop’s extended its lead to 9-5 entering the fourth.

Carlsbad, which won its only Open Division title in 2018, rallied in the final quarter, but Maddy Lane – who recorded six saves – was able to halt the Lancers’ comeback bid.

Kendra Ammon led Carlsbad with three goals.

Bishop’s won its 11th consecutive showdown against the Lancers, including an 8-5 victory Dec. 10 at home.

Rancho Bernardo 8, Patrick Henry 7 (OT): The Broncos captured their first Division 1 championship since 2015 and won the third section title in program history, with Maci Kershner delivering the deciding goal with 2:17 remaining in the second three-minute overtime period at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex.

Kershner had five goals for Rancho Bernardo (15-12), with Kamryn Peterson scoring in the first three-minute extra session for the Broncos.

Saranzaya Rice-Connor tied the score at 7-7 for Patrick Henry (17-12) in the first overtime period.

The Patriots forced overtime when Samantha Alfaro scored with seven seconds left in regulation, responding on the ensuing possession after Kershner had given Rancho Bernardo a 6-5 advantage 13 seconds earlier.

Patrick Henry was seeking its first section title since winning the inaugural Division 1 championship in 1997.

Cathedral Catholic 8, Mission Bay 2: The Dons (25-4) completed one of the biggest turnarounds in section history to win their first Division 2 title at Coggan Family Aquatic Complex.

Cathedral Catholic finished 5-20 last year, including a 12-11 first-round loss to Rancho Bernardo in the Division 1 playoffs.

Mission Bay (17-9) was held scoreless for more than 19 minutes in its first finals appearance, before Audrey Griffin finally ended the drought at the 1:58 mark of the third quarter.

Hailey Romero, Francesca McNeil and Lillian LaRai all scored twice for Cathedral Catholic, which had lost twice previously in Open Division championship matches in 2015 and 2018.

Charlotte Rynearson recorded 10 saves for Mission Bay, which suffered its third loss this season against the Dons.

Ramona 11, Steele Canyon 6: The Bulldogs built an 8-3 halftime advantage and secured the Division 3 title at Coggan Family Aquatic Complex, their first section championship since winning the Division 2 crown in 2013.

Avonlea Hammonds and Lola Buscho both had three goals apiece and Rylee Khoury scored twice for Ramona (15-14), which rebounded to win the Division 3 title after not qualifying for the Division 2 playoffs last season.

Maya Mendez recorded eight saves along with producing a goal for Steele Canyon (10-10), making its first appearance in a division final, also after moving from Division 2 last year.