Huntington Beach’s recent habit of stockpiling boys water polo talent delivered an early reward Tuesday.
The sophomore duo of attacker Matt Robert and center Quinten Osborne combined for seven goals and senior goalie Alex Wolf made 14 saves as the No. 4 Oilers defeated visiting San Clemente and Chase Hamming, 15-8, in a season-opening match for both teams.
Robert netted a game-high four goals while Osborne added three and drew two fourth-period exclusions that led to goals. Both were key players on Vanguard’s 14-and-under club team that captured the Junior Olympics title two summers ago.
Robert and Osborne aren’t the Oilers’ only up-and-coming players. Coach Brian Anderson started sophomore Ethan Wojciechowski (two goals) and juniors James Vlachonassios (one goal) and Elias Lule (defender) to go along with seniors Wolf and Noah Nelson (one goal).
The Oilers backed up Osborne at center with freshman Wyatt Benson, one of four reserves to score. Wojciechowski, Lule and Benson recently earned Junior Olympic All-American honors for Vanguard, a Huntington Beach-based club.
“We do have a collective group of kids who have been together for a long time and they like to compete,” Anderson said. “They’re very motivated. They’re fun to coach. It could be an enjoyable year depending on how well things go.”
Huntington Beach’s chemistry showed in the fourth as it went 3 for 3 on the power play to finish 4 for 5. Wolf, a U.S. youth team goalie, made four saves against the Tritons’ power play, which finished 3 for 10.
Hamming scored his three goals in the first half while Spencer Perkins finished with two. Michael Hamming added three assists, including one apiece to his triplet brothers, Chase, and Colton.
“I thought our defense was a little lackadaisical at times and it gave them some opportunities,” San Clemente coach Marc Parker said. “I thought we had some open looks (on the power play) that we should have put that ball away.”
Parker said of Wolf, “If you hesitate, he locks down on you. (He’s) their strength.”
The Oilers hope their blend of young talent and seniors such as Wolf deliver the school’s first Sunset League title since 1983.
“I think this year will set the tone for the next couple of years,” Wolf said.
In other nonleague games:
Long Beach Wilson 10, Newport Harbor 9: Zach D’Sa, who played with the Sailors (0-2) during the summer, netted five goals and Grant LaBounty added four to lead the Bruins (1-0) at the temporary pool at Belmont Plaza. Newport Harbor trailed, 6-0, in the first half.
No. 8 Servite 9, No. 7 Dana Hills 8: Max Weber scored five goals to lead the host Friars (1-0) past the Dolphins (0-1), who received 18 saves from Riley Zachary.
Segerstrom 13, San Juan Hills 6: Nick Navarro scored five goals and Chris Sanchez made 11 saves to lead the reigning CIF Division 7 champion Jaguars (1-0) at home.
Los Alamitos 11, Northwood 6: Adam Lott scored six goals to pace the visiting Griffins (1-0).
No. 4 Laguna Beach 11, Cathedral Catholic of San Diego 7: Cade Baldridge scored five goals to lead the visiting Breakers (1-0).
No. 10 Santa Margarita 16, El Toro 8: Sam Slobodien scored six goals for the second consecutive game to help pace the host Eagles (2-0).
Beckman 13, Tustin 2: Collin Sohn scored four goals and Evan Kim and Diego Montalvo each added three for the visiting Patriots (5-1).
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
