Centaurs Water Polo Prevails in Playoff Opener

Knowing every game from here on out might be their last this season, members of the girls water polo team want to savor each victory in the playoffs.

The first celebration came Tuesday afternoon after the Lady Centaurs eliminated Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, 7-3, in the first round to set up a showdown against top-seeded Warren, the reigning champion, which had a first-round bye.

Culver City, which finished in third place in the Ocean League behind El Segundo and Santa Monica, got one goal from and three apiece from and to outscore the visiting Lions (9-8) at Culver City Municipal Plunge. Goalie made 13 saves for the Lady Centaurs, who led 4-1 at halftime. Amanda Longan had 14 saves for Oaks Christian, which had a goal disallowed.

Oaks Christian, which finished third in the Tri-Valley League, entered Tuesday's contest off victories over Villanova Prep and Cate. The Lady Centaurs will need their best effort to upset San Gabriel Valley League winner Warren, which edged Malibu 8-7 in a thrilling final last winter. Warren and Culver City will meet in the second round at 3 p.m. Thursday at Downey High.

Tuesday's triumph tasted sweet for longtime , who offered some historical perspective: "This is only the third home playoff game I've won during my coaching career at Culver City. The first since 2001 and before that 1998."

The winner of Thursday's game will play either Prep League runner-up Chadwick or Desert Valley League champion Palm Springs in the quarterfinals Saturday.

GIRLS SOCCER

Interim Athletic Director said that the Centaurs' first-round playoff game against Patriot has been moved from Friday to Thursday in order to allow several girls to attend their YMCA Youth & Government trip to Sacramento this weekend. 

The game will kickoff at 3 p.m. Thursday at Culver City High.