Among the members of the Crescenta Valley High girls' water polo team, you won't find any big egos or prima donnas. To hear Coach Pete Loporchio tell it, the Falcons, who are off to an 18-0 start thanks to their depth and team-first approach, are a pretty selfless bunch who would just as soon pass off credit for the team's hot start.
But, inevitably much of that praise and acknowledgment gets deflected back toward junior goalkeeper Gabriel Isacson, whose play in goal has been the backbone of the Falcons' vaunted defense and whose play making as a passer keeps Crescenta Valley's counter razor sharp.
"She's an amazing goalie. ...With how much hard work she puts into everything, Gabriel's just all-around a great player and a great person," Falcons attacker Sabrina Hatzer says.
Fellow CV attacker Breanna Lawton doesn't hold back either when describing Isacson's value to the defending Pacific League champions, who are ranked third in CIF Southern Section Division V and looking to build on last year's trip to the CIF semifinals.