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ORANGE — Mater Dei’s girls water polo team avenged another setback from its past Thursday by sticking together on both ends of the pool.
Kirra Pantaleton netted six goals to pace six players in scoring and Sienna Sorensen collected 10 saves as the Monarchs defeated three-time defending Trinity League champion Orange Lutheran 16-9 at Santiago Canyon College.
Mater Dei goalkeeper Sienna Sorensen (1) makes a save on a shot by Orange Lutheran in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) PennyMauser (5) of Mater Dei looks to pass over CaliCraft (2) of Orange Lutheran in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Eve Webb (11) of Orange Lutheran looks to pass as CampbellPence (9) of Mater Dei moves in to defend in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Kirra Pantaleon (8) of Mater Dei scores a goal against Orange Lutheran in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Maggie Ryan (17) of Mater Dei looks to pass with Reese Lynch (10) of Orange Lutheran defending in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Ella Treglia (4) of Orange Lutheran deflects a shot by Drew Shelton (12) of Mater Dei in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Delaney Hook (10) of Mater Dei scores over Liz Nicoloff (6) of Orange Lutheran in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Allison Cohen (3) of Orange Lutheran looks to pass over the defense MaggieRyan (17) of Mater Dei of in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Kirra Pantaleon (8) of Mater Dei shoots between the hands of Orange Lutheran goalkeeper Eden Stanley (1A) for a goal in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Eve Webb (11) of Orange Lutheran takes a shot as the Mater Dei defense closes in during a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 10Mater Dei goalkeeper Sienna Sorensen (1) makes a save on a shot by Orange Lutheran in a girls water polo game at Santiago Canyon College in Orange on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG) ExpandRanked No. 1 in Orange County, Mater Dei (16-1) beat No. 3 Orange Lutheran (12-5) in the Trinity League for the first time since 2022. That’s also the last time the Monarchs claimed the league crown.
Last season, the Lancers edged host Mater Dei 10-9 in a dramatic match decided in the final seconds.
“It was good to come back and get a win, especially in an away game, which is always hard,” said Pantaleon, a Stanford commit who added two assists. “Everyone was really hype before the game, which helped.”
So did the Monarchs’ balanced scoring and commitment to team defense.
Coming off a title run in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on Saturday, Mater Dei had six different players score in the first half as it raced to a 10-2 lead.
Several of the Monarchs’ scoring chances came off sharp cross passes. Riley Johnson found Pantaleon across the pool for the opening goal.
Mater Dei also united on defense to fuel its counterattack. The Monarchs forced an errant shot early in the second period that led to a counter by Pantaleon off a pass from Delaney Hook for a 5-0 lead.
It was the type of performance that helped Mater Dei snap a two-match losing streak to Oaks Christian with a 10-7 victory in the finals in Santa Barbara.
“We know that we can only win if we play for each other,” Mater Dei coach and Olympian Chris Segesman said. “These girls can’t win if we play individually. That’s part of the family, team concept that they’ve bought into so well. … They’re locked in.”
Hook finished with three goals while Maggie Ryan, Paige Segesman and reserve Penny Mauser each added two goals. Sophomore left-hander Campbell Pence dished out three assists.
Mater Dei’s defense effectively slowed Orange Lutheran’s power play. The Lancers finished 2 for 11 with the extra attacker. Mater Dei went 2 for 6.
Allison Cohen, the reigning Orange County player of the year, paced Orange Lutheran with five goals.
Eve Webb added two goals while goalie Eden Stanley made five saves.
“We lost a lot of seniors (last year) so it’s just getting people with confidence,” said Cohen, a Stanford-bound senior. “There’s glimpses of great plays, and we’re not finishing them. I have so much belief in this team.”
Orange Lutheran outscored Mater Dei 7-6 in the second half.
“We do have a ton of great potential,” said first-year Lancers coach Melissa Seidemann, a three-time Olympic gold medalist. “We’re stilling finding our footing in terms of team chemistry. That’s our big hurdle to come over. The mindset and what we’re capable of.”
Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran will play in separate tournaments next week. The Monarchs are in the Newport Invite while the Lancers head to the Irvine SoCal Championships.
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