Dominant fourth period leads SHP girls into NorCal D-I final

Eleanor Facey scored the go-ahead goal with 1:18 remaining to play in helping the Sacred Heart Prep girls water polo team beat visiting Miramonte 9-8 in the semifinals of the Northern California Championships on Thursday night.

Bella Bachler scored three goals, recorded three assists and made three steals for the Gators (27-3), who advance into Saturday’s NorCal championship match against undefeated Acalanes.

Acalanes, which has not lost in three years, is the nation’s top-ranked team and includes Jewel Roemer, a member of the U.S. junior national team. Acalanes advanced with a 12-2 victory over Davis.

Sacred Heart Prep and Acalanes play at 3:40 p.m. at Independence High in San Jose, where the Gators won their first ever Open Division title last weekend.

Alexandra Szczerba scored an insurance goal with 32 seconds left, rendering Miramonte’s power-play goal with 12 seconds left harmless. The Gators beat the Matadors by one goal in a contest played earlier in the season.

Sacred Heart Prep gets its fourth chance at Acalanes this year. The teams have met twice for tournament championships and a regularly scheduled nonleague game.

The Gators took their first second-half lead moments after Szczerba won the opening sprint in the fourth period, which allowed Sacred Heart Prep to remain in a power play.

Moving the ball quickly around the perimeter, Annabel Facey spotted Bachler, who fired the ball into the net and a 5-4 SHP edge. Annabel Facey tied the game midway through the third period.

Annabel Facey, in addition to two gaols and two assists, also led the team with four steals. Eleanor Facey drew four exclusions. Megan Norris stopped seven shots.

Ella Woodhead scored a goal and recorded three steals. Brienz Lang had a goal and assist.

By Rick Eymer/Palo Alto Sports Online

By Rick Eymer/Palo Alto Sports Online

By Rick Eymer/Palo Alto Sports Online

By Rick Eymer/Palo Alto Sports Online

By Rick Eymer/Palo Alto Sports Online