GIRLS' WATER POLO: FRIENDLY RIVALS FACE OFF.

Byline: Nathan Brown  Staff Writer

A sense of shared community hasn't always defined girls' water polo in the Marmonte League and surrounding areas, but it does now, and there will be a clear lack of animosity this afternoon when rivals Agoura and Royal of Simi Valley high schools face off in a Southern Section semifinal.

The third meeting this season between the top-seeded Chargers and a rising Royal team will be anything other than a grudge match, no matter its importance.

``I don't think it's going to be a dirty game,'' Meghan Corso, Agoura's Cal-bound star, said on the eve of the Div. IV showdown at Westlake High. ``I just expect the most from each team.''

Agoura is seeking its fourth title trip and Royal its second - the winner will face defending champion Santa Barbara or Cabrillo of Lompoc in Tuesday's final at Rio Mesa of Oxnard - and all involved anticipate a classic clash.

``This one is going to be a good old-fashioned street fight,'' Agoura coach Jason Rosenthal said. ``Whoever can close it will win the game.''

Agoura (25-5) won the two Marmonte meetings, but it needed a late goal to win the second encounter, on Jan. 19, and the Highlanders (20-6) are ready for the rematch, street fight or not.

``It is a physical game when we play them,'' Royal coach Devin Hurst said, ``but it's not about cheap shots. It's a pretty clean game. This one might get a little more physical, though, because there's a lot more riding on it.''

There's much more of a feeling of shared experience among Marmonte rivals these days, and it has lent a certain classiness to the proceedings. The competition remains fierce, but the respect among programs is immense. That wasn't always the case.

``A couple of years ago,'' Rosenthal said, ``there were some game misconducts just about every game. Then the girls' started playing club polo together. That changed everything.''

Nathan Brown, [phone]

nate.brown(at)dailynews.com