CV girls stay perfect with rivalry win

GLENDALE — A season after a second-place Pacific League finish, the Crescenta Valley High girls’ water polo team has flexed its muscle to the tune of an undefeated regular season run through league.

On Wednesday afternoon at home, the Falcons thumped rival Arcadia, 18-6.

“I think it’s a tribute to a team that’s worked hard and set that as a goal,” said Falcons Coach Pete Loporchio, whose team will play La Serna on Saturday before entering Tuesday’s league tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Crescenta Valley will not know until after a Friday coin flip determines the third- and fourth-place squads between Glendale, Burbank and Burroughs who it will face in the opening round. Should the Falcons win their opening round match, they will clinch a share of the league title.

“I think we’re right where we need to be,” said Loporchio of his team’s play as of late, which included a big win over Lompoc Cabrillo over the weekend. “We’re really focusing on accomplishing things as a unit.”

That was evidenced on Wednesday.

Leading goal scorer Kim Fraisse had four goals, but nine Falcons in all scored.

Christine Cho and Julia Warden had three goals each, while Stephanie Loporchio and Rachel Krebsbach had two each.

Crescenta Valley (23-3, 6-0 in league), which is ranked fourth in CIF Southern Section Division IV, has run roughshod through the Pacific League, having won its opener against second-place Pasadena, 11-4, and blowing through every other team thereafter.

Still, Loporchio knows his team must keep its eyes on the prize.

“We know we still have a lot of work in front of us,” Loporchio said. “We don’t want to get complacent.

“We’re trying not to let down and keep pushing and preparing for the playoffs and the league tournament.”