Northwood girls water polo team tops Capo Valley 7-1 and advances into second round of CIF playoffs Thursday

Freshman Lauren Nguyen had a goal for Northwood Tuesday.

Northwood’s girls water polo team opened the CIF Division 4 playoffs with a 7-1 victory over Capistrano Valley Tuesday at Northwood.

Coach Kyle Kim-E said the Timberwolves were competing in the playoffs for the first time in seven years and he was excited about their first post season win in that span.

Northwood moves on to the second round Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at home against Yucaipa.

Senior Adrien Lee, junior Hannah Miller, and freshman Mia Tomovic led Northwood with two goals each. Freshman Lauren Nguyen also scored a goal.

Sisters senior Amanda Nguyen and freshman Lauren Nguyen, both led the team defensively with four steals each.

“Freshman goalkeeper Sanjana Venkatesh did not let playoff inexperience show as she had an impressive 14 saves in cage,” Kim-E said. “She also provided two assists and two steals.

“I’m a very proud coach of these girls. When I was first hired three years ago, the girls’ main goal was to win one league (game). To be here three years later, where we finish second in league and now are in CIF-SS playoffs, is a major accomplishment for these girls.”

Kim-E said it was an adjustment at the start.

“I think that our girls were pretty nervous before the game started,” he said. “We were in a unique circumstance where everyone, seniors included, had no playoff experience since it’s the first time the girls program has been here since the 2011-12 season.

“Once we had our nerves under control, the girls started to execute and we had a dominating second half. We’re happy to advance in CIF-SS and we know that we have our work cut out for us with some tough teams coming up.

“But, win or lose, we are very proud of everything accomplished this season.”