VILLA PARK – If the Trinity League boys water polo season turns out as competitive as some expect, Santa Margarita’s result Saturday might serve as a confidence booster in the coming weeks.
Junior Austin Clark scored off a counterattack with 1:21 left in the fourth period and goalie Ryan Melosini made three of his 12 saves in the final quarter as the Eagles edged Division 4 top-ranked Righetti of Santa Maria, 10-9, in the finals of the Villa Park Classic.
The Eagles (12-3) defended their title by erasing two-goal deficits in the second and third period and answering a strike at center from Righetti’s Lukas Sheckherd that tied the score, 9-9, with 4:53 left in the fourth.
Melosini helped Santa Margarita overcome seven fourth-period turnovers by making a point-blank save on a counterattack early in the fourth and stopping a shot from center about minute later. Spencer Lupin then sealed the victory with his third steal of the fourth with 26 seconds left.
For a team that opens Trinity League play Thursday against an improved JSerra, it was an intense and needed tune-up.
“This was big,” said Melosini, a four-year varsity goalie. “It’s all about the momentum going into league. If we can be playing well before it, we can be playing well during it, and after it, too.”
Tournament MVP Sam Slobodien, Dylan Radovic, freshman Chasen Petersen and Clark each netted two goals apiece for the Eagles. Tanner Kaplan added two assists.
The Eagles’ power-play finished 1 for 7, so there’s still work to be done. Righetti’s Justin Murrillo also scored four goals, including three from center.
Defending league champion Mater Dei looms over the Trinity but Orange County-ranked Orange Lutheran and Servite look improved. “That’s a tough league,” said Righetti coach Kyle Shaffer, whose Warriors (12-3) lost last month to Orange Lutheran, 9-8.
