GIRLS PREP WATER POLO: Beat up Williams is unbeatable

Freshman scores 9 goals, carries Vista to first CIF crown

By MATT NULL - Staff Writer | Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:30 PM PST ∞

Photo by Daniel Raifsnider

LA JOLLA ---- In the biggest game of her young life, Vista High freshman Victoria Williams didn't let a few injuries stop her.

With a shoulder she says is always tense, a few scrapes around her neck and a black eye, Williams scored nine goals to lead the Panthers over rival Carlsbad 12-11 in the CIF San Diego Section Division I finals on Saturday night.

Williams, the North County's leading goal scorer, scored at least one goal in each quarter ---- including all four Vista goals in the third quarter ---- to lead the Panthers to their first CIF girls water polo title.

The win was a year in the making, said Vista coach Dave Spence.

"Last spring we discussed this exactly," Spence said. "We had the entire year scripted with the goal of becoming CIF champs."

After a rough first quarter, Williams put on a show at La Jolla Coggan Family Aquatic Complex that amazed even her coach.

"She was able to settle down, and she found the back of the net," Spence said. "After some of those goals, I turned to the bench and said, 'My gosh, can the girl do anything wrong tonight?' "

Williams thought she may have done something wrong, despite the flurry of goals.

"I just didn't want to look like a ball hog," Williams said. "I tried to pass it as much as I could."

Carlsbad coach Kristin Stanford said the Lancers (22-9) were largely powerless to counter Williams' dominance.

"We tried to adjust, but we just couldn't do it," Stanford said. "She is a solid player and she just beat us."

The CIF banner is a first for Spence, whose girls and boys teams have been regarded as some of the strongest in North County.

"It took 10 years to get here from the day I took over the boys program and five since I took over the girls," Spence said. "And hopefully I don't have to wait another 10."

That's doubtful since the Panthers (29-3) have only one senior.

Charlie Warburton scored two goals and Sydney Witt scored another for Vista.

Carlsbad was led by Mallory Martinez (five goals) and Rachel Miller (three goals, two assists).

Carlsbad captain Audrey Zak said her teammates have reason to be proud.

"Our whole season was leading up to this," Zak said. "We showed we're a good team and that we belong here. It sucks to lose, but we played well."

If you ask Williams, it was the perfect ending to her first year of high school water polo.

"I really wanted this win," Williams said. "In my freshman year, how cool would that be to win CIF?

"It's cool."

Contact staff writer Matt Null at mnull@nctimes.com. Comment at nctvarsity.com.