Page 4 October 21, 2021 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Eagles from page 3
long. Torrance’s quarterback was sacked, but
a facemask penalty gave them another crack.
With less than 20 seconds remaining, Tialavea
caught a 23-yard TD pass to give his team a
14-0 lead at halftime. The puzzling part of
that Torrance possession was that they were
faced with third and 25 or longer twice, and a
facemask call and the touchdown pass helped
doom E Segundo’s defense.
The second half started favorably for El
Segundo. The defense forced a punt, and the
Eagles took over on their 20-yard line. Leo
Menendez took his team the distance in nine
plays to score. The drive was helped along by
two major penalties against the Tartars and
ended when Menendez connected with the
speedy Michael Wilson on a 23-yard pass play.
The extra point hit the goal post and bounded,
giving Torrance a 14-6 lead.
Torrance’s next possession was stopped on
fourth and two at their 45-yard line. On the
third play of the drive, Menendez hooked up
with Nate Pascarelli on a 47-yard pass play.
Just like that, the Eagles trailed 14-12 after
the two-point attempt failed.
The fourth quarter would be a wild one. El
Segundo’s defense stepped up again to begin
the final quarter. Aidan Pagel sacked Purdy
for a big loss that helped lead to a Torrance
punt. During the punt return, it was muffed and
fumbled back to the Tartars. On third down
and long, Matt Higginbotham was blindsided
from the back side that would’ve backed the
Tartars up even more. Instead, they capitalized
on the official’s no-call and scored on fourth
and three from the 8-yard line on a pass play
and a 20-12 lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Eagles started
from their 18-yard line. They went 82 yards in
just four big-time plays. Dylan Bucher picked
up a couple of yards on a dive play. Michael
Wilson caught a 15-yard pass which set up a
43-yard rushing attempt by Mason Kahn that
set up the tying touchdown pass. Wilson broke
free from the secondary and caught a 22-yard
touchdown pass with about three minutes
remaining. Menendez’s pass to Pascarelli in
the end zone for the two-point conversion tied
the game at 20-20.
Torrance’s winning drive started at their
35-yard line. The El Segundo defense had
no answer for the Tartars, who navigated the
field with four plays of 12 yards or more. The
dagger was Ian Dilthey’s 6-yard touchdown
run with 1:15 remaining in the game, and the
Eagles fell 27-20.
The loss drops the Eagles to 5-3 overall and
will attempt to get their first Pioneer League
win, against West Torrance, Friday at 7 p.m.
on Senior Appreciation Night.
Girls Volleyball Advances to CIF
Playoffs with Sweep of Lawndale
The Eagles swept the final match of their
Pioneer League schedule against Lawndale
25-7, 25-10, and 25-16 on Senior Appreciation
Day. The eleven seniors honored for their dedication
to the program included Kaia Breeden,
Gina Caruso, Maggie Cooney, Bella Dering,
Bridget Dorr, Morgan Farris, Brooklyn Jones,
Annika Klishevich, Bella Pascual, Brooke
Taylor, and Sophia Tomlinson.
The first game against Lawndale Kaia
Breeden’s serving resulted in an 11-3 advantage,
and Gina Caruso’s ace completed the first game
victory with another ace. In the second game,
Caruso continued her dominating serve with
three aces, and the Eagles sped out to a 4-0
lead. A duel block by Bridget Dorr and Annika
Klisehvich gave their team a 14-4 lead, and
the Eagles went on for the easy second-game
win. In the third game, Lawndale made it a
bit more interesting. After El Segundo raced to
a 7-2 lead and led 15-8, the Cardinals closed
the gap with heady play, and three ace serves
to trail 15-13. The Eagles took over the game
thanks to Marley Smith and Breeden’s hits
and the net play of Sophia Tomlinson, Bella
Pascual, and Kira Cullinan. The Eagles went
on for the win with Gina Caruso’s ace to
sweep the Cardinals.
With the win, the Eagles (12-5) secured third
place and a spot in the CIF Southern Section
Division 4 Playoffs. Strangely enough, four of
their five losses came in league play to Torrance
and South Torrance. They’ll face Vistamar
(10-4), the Coastal League champions, on the
road tonight at 6 p.m. The winner advances to
play on Saturday at 6 p.m. against the winner
of the University/ La Habra winner.
Girl’s Tennis Team
Looks Strong in Wins
The Eagles performed strongly, winning
both matches against West Torrance and North
Torrance respectfully. Against West Torrance,
they handily took down the Warriors 15-3.
In singles, both Grace Bloom and Hannah A
Smith won all three of their matches. They
were joined by the doubles team of Sam Robert
Cooper Dolan protecting his quarterback Leo Menendez.
The seniors pose before their match against Lawndale. Sophia Tomlinson and Kira Cullinan dominated net play against Lawndale.
#44 Bridget Dorr and #48 Annika Klishevich turn back a point attempt by Lawndale.
and Mina Kreski, who also secured three wins
for their team. Singles player Hannah A Smith
and the doubles teams of Morgen Jackson and
Norah Green, as well as doubles team Audrey
CdeBaca and Kate Belson, contributed two
victories each to the total for a successful
outing against the Lady Warrior.
The Eagles entered their match against North
Torrance full of confidence and returned with a
16-2 victory over the Saxons. All three singles
players, Grace Bloom, Hannah A Smith, and
Hannah K. Smith won their three matches. The
doubles team of Sam Robert and Mina Kreski
secured two victories and their final match
forfeiting. The other two doubles teams of
Morgen Jackson and Norah Green, as well as
Audrey CdeBaca and Kate Belson, contributed
two victories each against an overmatched
North Torrance team.
Boy’s Water Polo Looking
for Pioneer League Title
The Eagles were 7-0 in Pioneer League
entering this week’s league schedule, including
away games at North Torrance on Tuesday and
Torrance on Thursday. The CIF Southern Section
playoff brackets are expected to be out October
30, and El Segundo should be awarded a home
game the first week of November should they
win the Pioneer League. •
Kaia Breeden delivers a hit against Lawndale.
Sam Robert delivers a winning serve against West Torrance. Seniors Audrey Cdebaca and Kate Belson get ready for a return.