Corona del Mar played confidently last week in shaking up Orange County boys water polo at the South Coast Tournament.
The fourth-ranked Sea Kings showed more composure Saturday night to rally past rival Newport Harbor in overtime.
Will Ueberroth scored twice in the final 61 seconds of the fourth period to help the host Sea Kings force overtime and Corona del Mar added two quick goals in the extra periods for an 8-6 victory before a packed crowd.
Will Rodosky snapped a 6-6 tie by scoring on a penalty shot 1:33 into the first three-minute overtime and Mitchell Cooper added a counterattack 23 seconds later as Corona del Mar (6-3) took control. Henry Wilde drew the penalty shot on a counterattack moments after a power-play shot by Newport Harbor blasted off the bottom of the crossbar and floated tantalizing in front of the cage.
Sixth-ranked Newport Harbor (7-4) led, 6-4, after Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt’s extra-man strike with 1:44 left in the fourth, but the Sailors couldn’t solve Matt Moran-Flores again. The senior goalie made two saves in the second overtime and finished with 14 blocks.
Last week at home in the South Coast Tournament, Corona del Mar became the first county team in nearly six years to beat Mater Dei and later said it expected to fare well against the Monarchs.
“We’re way more confident this year. We trust each other more,” Moran-Flores said. “It just came from within us. We had the fight. We were ready to play. … I’m proud of the boys. I’m proud of what we did tonight.”
Newport Harbor lost Turnbow-Lindenstadt to a game exclusion shortly after his goal and Ueberroth capitalized with a power-play strike with 1:01 left off a pass by Cooper.
Ueberroth tied the score, 6-6, with another extra-man goal with 15 seconds remaining. The senior attacker also had seven steals.
“He is starting to get that little swagger,” Corona del Mar coach Barry O’Dea said of Ueberroth. “I’m proud of him for that. … But we don’t do it without Moran-Flores.”
Corona del Mar failed to convert on its first four chances with the extra attacker and finished 2 for 6.
Newport Harbor went 2 for 8 on the power-play, including 0 for 3 in overtime.
But the most important number for Corona del Mar was three. The Sea Kings claimed the rivalry game for the third consecutive season.
“Right now, I believe we’re back,” O’Dea said. “I think we’re relevant right now. I think you got to worry about us right now.”
Cooper paced Corona del Mar with three goals.
Center Jackson Westerman drew seven exclusions for Newport Harbor while Nic Rimlinger paced the Sailors with three goals. Turnbow-Lindenstadt scored twice.
Newport Harbor goalie Max Sandberg made seven saves.
The game also featured four lead changes and five ties.
Newport Harbor’s best moments included a second-period power-play conversion by Rimlinger in front of the near post off a dish by Cole Brosnan. The Sailors set up the goal with a cross pass from one wing to the other.
They also led at halftime, 4-2, on a strike off a foul outside 5 meters by Turnbow-Lindenstadt.
In the Newport Rib Company Classic:
Northwood 13, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 12: Leon Shin made nine saves and Joe Shaw led seven players in scoring with six goals as the Timberwolves (12-3) claimed the title at Costa Mesa.
In the Villa Park Classic:
No. 10 Santa Margarita 12, No. 7 El Toro 9: The Eagles finished 5-0 to capture the 32-team tournament at Villa Park.
Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com
