El Diamante tops Monache, meets Porterville in Valley championship

Porterville girls’ water polo will be returning to the Division II Valley championship in a rematch of last year’s title game against El Diamante, who ended Monache’s run Saturday.

This time, it’ll be on Panthers’ turf. Technically, anyway.

The title game is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Granite Hills High.

Top-seeded Porterville defeated No. 4 Edison, 13-3, Saturday, behind Coriann Snyder’s five goals. Snyder scored twice in the first quarter to help the Panthers jump out to a quick 4-0 start.

Kyla Hill scored three goals, including two in the final period as they held Edison scoreless during that stretch.

“I thought our defense played well and we really matched up well with them,” Porterville coach Richard Taylor said.

The third quarter proved to be the difference-maker as Matlyn Morris broke free, took a pass from Snyder and scored. Snyder scored 20 seconds later to make it 7-1 within the first 33 seconds of the second half.

Caitlyn Hill scored two goals while Morris, Marnie Kavern and Jenna Morris scored one each.

Goalie Raven Kapphahn netted 16 saves.

While Taylor said his girls were pleased with a shot at redemption against the Miners, who beat them last year for the title, he said the Panthers were rooting for Monache.

“It would’ve been great to play Monache and make it a city title,” he said, “but we’re hoping to return the favor (to El Diamante).”

The Miners defeated Monache, 9-3, Saturday morning in a semifinals game that ended eight of the Marauder seniors’ careers.

“We didn’t stop the kids we needed to stop,” Monache coach Ryan Atchley said. “I think it’s a great success (to reach the semis) but I’d much rather be playing than watching on Tuesday.”

The Marauders, who lost by just one in a scrimmage to El Diamante earlier this season, got one goal apiece from Ally Bernard, Jessica Gutierrez and Kelly Fornier.