Overtime thrillers steal the show at CIF San Diego Section water polo finals

As her long-range shot caromed off the crossbar into the goal, Mt. Carmel High School’s Sophia Woodard had a look of disbelief.

The Sundevils senior had just scored a golden goal at 44 seconds into extended overtime to lift top-seeded Mt. Carmel past Oceanside 9-8 in the CIF San Diego Section Division 2 girls water polo final at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex on Saturday.

“I was really shocked. I was not expecting that to go in,’’ said Woodard, who finished with five goals. “I’m so happy.’’

The victory gave the Sundevils (22-7) a repeat title after moving up from Division 3 this season.

Woodward scored with 1:32 left in regulation for a 7-7 tie that forced overtime and also converted in the two required OT periods that ended in an 8-8 deadlock.

“Something just happened,’’ Woodard said, “And I was able to lock in and do it.’’

The No. 2 Pirates (19-7) received four goals from Alli Hyde in their first final.

Division 3

Classical Academy 8, San Dieguito 7 (OT): Was Classical senior Tessa Ferragamo tired after extended overtime? Definitely. Thrilled to score the deciding goal? Even more so.

Farragamo converted at 31 seconds into the golden-goal session following two scoreless overtime periods to lift the fourth-seeded Caimans in their first final.

“It was an exhausting game, but it was worth it,” said Ferragamo, who also had a second-half goal. “It was just a really exciting experience.”

Classical (15-4) prevailed in its first final after the No. 7 Mustangs (11-15) forced overtime when Kyla Bruce scored her second goal for a 7-7 tie with 54 seconds left in regulation.

Division 1

Coronado 4, Santana 3 (OT): Coronado’s Sophie Kenny didn’t start the game, but she certainly finished it.

Kenny scored the only goal in the two required overtime periods to enable the sixth-seeded Islanders to claim their third straight championship.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said Kenny, who converted at 45 seconds into OT. “I didn’t expect it because I’m not one of our stronger shooters, but when it went in, I knew we were going to win.”

The Islanders (10-6) otherwise scored only in the third quarter, when they took a 3-2 lead over No. 1 Santana (12-12).

Jenna Human recorded her second goal with 6:11 left in regulation to pull the Sultans even.

Open Division, fifth-place game

Clairemont 7, Helix 5: Kylie Sagastume scored three goals to spearhead Clairemont, which secured a berth in the Southern California Regional playoffs.

The Open Division championship game between No. 1 Bishop’s and No. 3 Carlsbad was still to be played as of this report.

Thien is a freelance writer.