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CORONA — The Corona girls water polo team makes history with every step it takes in this season’s playoffs.

The Panthers scored the program’s first postseason win earlier this week, and they set a higher standard on Thursday evening with a convincing 16-6 victory over Hillcrest in a CIF Southern Section Division 4 second-round match.

Gabby Pasillas and Sam Thomas each scored five goals, and Daniella Guzman registered 15 saves in the cage to lead the way for the Panthers.

Corona (19-13) will host Trabuco Hills (12-3) in a quarterfinal match Saturday at a time to be determined.

“This is really exciting for everyone,” senior Jaeden Johnson said about the program making its first trip to the quarterfinals. “I have seen this program in all the different stages in my four years, and we have taken a huge leap forward this year in league and CIF. To see that all develop and come together my senior year is amazing.”

The match was tied with less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, but Hailey Cruz scored her lone goal to give Corona a 3-2 advantage. The goal by Cruz was the first of eight straight scored by the Panthers.

Corona used its speed on counterattacks and movement on offense to create numerous scoring opportunities. Pasillas and Johnson each scored a pair of goals in the second quarter to help extend the lead to 7-2 at the break. Thomas scored twice early in the third quarter and Ashley Cabrera added another goal to push the lead to 10-2.

“I think our awareness of the shot clock and knowing when to counter was important tonight,” Thomas said. “We work really well together and try to make the smart passes. I think our passing was on point today.”

Hillcrest (18-6) did not go away without a fight, as the Trojans scored three consecutive goals midway through the third period to get within five. Hailee Morales scored two of those goals, including a stunning skip shot from near half-tank. Morales scored both of Hillcrest’s goals in the first half and finished with four.

Corona doubled-teamed Morales the rest of the way and limited her to two shots over the final 10 minutes.

“We can’t allow the best player to beat us. We have learned that the hard way in a couple of our losses,” Corona coach R.J. Hamblin said. “We had to get back on her and try to make other players take the shots.”

Johnson is one of those rare players who operates in the 2-meter spot on offense and defense. Hillcrest tried to work the ball inside, but Johnson snuffed out most of those chances and was only excluded once.

“I keep my hands up to avoid fouls and penalties and try to keep them as far away as possible,” she said.

Guzman was solid in the cage, blocking eight shots in the first half and seven more in the second half.

“My teammates did a great job on defense and forced them take a lot of shots from outside,” Guzman said.

Corona was able to answer Hillcrest’s third-quarter run, as Thomas and Pasillas each scored to give the Panthers a 12-5 advantage going into the fourth quarter. Cabrera, Johnson, Pasillas and Thomas all scored a goal in that final period to seal another historic win.

“It’s really exciting and even more special getting to do this with my best friends,” Thomas exclaimed.

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