WATER POLO BEAT: DEFENSE CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE : NEWBURY PARK'S EFFORT KEEPS IT CLOSE VS. T.O.

Byline: Heather Gripp Daily News Staff Writer

Defense has been a staple of many teams in the initial season of Marmonte League girls' water polo. Strong goalkeeping and stingy defense has generally kept scores low.

Wednesday's contest between Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks was a prime example of defense at work. The Lancers (7-0) came away with the 7-6 win on a goal by Kylee Greenaway, but defense kept it close and made the win the Lancers' closest game to date.

``There's nothing wrong with losing to T.O. by one,'' Newbury Park coach Steve Borg said. ``It was a very hard-fought game and unfortunately we lost. We played great defensively. I think we surprised T.O. We pretty much shut them down offensively.''

The Lancers defense was also solid, led by the efforts of senior goalkeeper Marie Middleton, who had 11 saves - nine in the second half - Wednesday. ``She really has come through in big games and big situations all season,'' coach Jeff Warshaw said. ``She sparks the team when they need it and helps get us refocused and regrouped.''

Newbury Park: The goalkeeping of Cori Palmieri, along with consistent offensive output from players such as Katy Fick and Ryanne Prinse, has helped turn the Panthers' season around. The Panthers' 4-3 league record puts them in a tie for third place. ``We've really made a great comeback from the beginning of the year,'' Borg said.

Newbury Park's progress will be tested in a key matchup Wednesday when the Panthers host second-place Royal. The Highlanders (6-1) won the first meeting between the two early in the season, but the Panthers were without some of their top players. A win for the Panthers would put them in position to finish in second place, while a win for Royal would keep the Highlanders in the running for first place.

Agoura: The Chargers have come on strong lately, improving to 6-6, 4-3 in league, with Wednesday's 9-8 win over Westlake to move into a third-place tie. Among those sparking the Chargers offense have been Erica Montgomery and Carrie Lohnberg, who each scored three goals against the Warriors.

Westlake: Another last-minute loss Wednesday - this time with the deciding goal coming with just 16 seconds left - assured Westlake that it's first season of Marmonte League play would not be a winning one. Technically, the Warriors still maintain an outside shot at reaching the playoffs, but they dropped to 1-6 with five games remaining.

The Warriors' future, however, should be much brighter. Youth, which has been a problem for the inexperienced team, could be an asset down the line as the club will have plenty of time to grow together.

``We've got a lot of talent, but they need to learn to work together,'' coach Kurt White said. ``Hopefully next year they'll be able to do that.''

The Warriors will lose Maria Fuchs, one of their most experienced players and a scoring leader, and Kate Mayer to graduation, but the remainder of their attack should be back for years to come. Colleen Schiman is just a freshman and Hilary Shuler and Katie Naylon are sophomores. The three are leading the team in scoring. Goalkeeper Jacquline Beck is still learning the game but is only a freshman.

``They just need to continue playing and learning,'' White said.

T.O. tourney: Last weekend's third annual Thousand Oaks tournament was won by the host Lancers. Newbury Park went 3-1 to place second. In addition to their usual leaders, the Panthers were aided by the play of freshman goalkeeper Rachel Huchings, who was called up from the JV squad for the tournament and posted 25 saves during the four games.

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Photo: Agoura's Erica Closk, left, and Westlake's Hilary Shuler, far right, battle for possession of the ball during the Chargers' 9-8 victory.

Gus Ruelas / Daily News