IRVINE – There was a few tears afterward but just as many supportive hugs. There was an unfamiliar sting but credit given to a deserving champion and optimism about next season.
Segerstrom’s boys water polo team seemed to find its balance Saturday morning after falling to top-seeded Malibu, 10-7, in the CIF-SS Division 6 final at the Woollett Aquatics Center.
The second-seeded Jaguars (26-4) were trying to capture consecutive CIF crowns after taking Division 7 last November, but they never led against the Sharks (27-4). Segerstrom, however, showed grit in nearly recovering from a 6-2 deficit early in the second quarter, but couldn’t get closer than one goal in the second half.
“Right now, we’re kind of down, but we still got another year,” Segerstrom junior David Molina said. “We played well but they outplayed us.”
Segerstrom started five juniors, two sophomores and played two key juniors off the bench. Sophomore goalie Christian Sanchez made eight saves.
“Segerstrom should be back here next year,” said Malibu coach Mike Mulligan, who claimed his first CIF title in his 24th season.
The Jaguars struggled to contain senior Owen Franz, who scored two quick counterattack goals to open the scoring. Franz finished with six goals to raise his season total to 150.
After falling behind, 6-2, Segerstrom’s Seth Chavez sparked a surge with a steal against a Malibu power play coming out of a timeout. Balsam Boudiab converted the steal into a goal and Martin Madrigal (team-high three goals) scored late in the second and early in the third to trim the Sharks’ lead to 6-5.
Segerstrom skipped a potential tying penalty shot wide of the goal in the third and Malibu goalie Dax Nittolo knocked down another penalty shot to preserve a 7-5 lead late in third.
The Jaguars drew within 8-7 with 5:32 left in the fourth period on another strike by Boudiab, but Malibu pitched a shutout the rest of the way.
Nittolo made three of his 12 saves in the final three minutes.
“There were lots of opportunities out there. We just didn’t execute,” Segerstrom coach Tim Fredericksen said. “(We’re) going to do fine. (We) just need to grow up a little bit.”
Segerstrom finished 3 for 6 on the man-advantage and 0 for 2 on penalty shots. Malibu went 2 for 7 on the power play.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
