Dana Hills tired but pleased after fourth-place finish

IRVINE - Dana Hills’ ninth-ranked boys water polo team faced two difficult opponents in the third-place match at the Steve Pal Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

The Dolphins couldn’t turn back Division 1 rival Ventura or their fatigue but the afternoon was still constructive for one of Orange County’s most improved teams.

Ventura scored four consecutive goals in the first four minutes of the final period to sink Dana Hills, 7-4, in the third-place match at the inaugural 32-team tournament at Northwood.

The Dolphins (16-10) pushed for the victory after falling in overtime to Damien of La Verne, 9-8, in the semifinals.

Righetti, a Division 4 contender from Santa Maria, edged Division 3 Damien, 9-8, in the final.

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The score in the third-place match was locked, 3-3, entering the fourth but Ventura center Eric Birdsall scored the first three goals of the frame to break open the score. “We just ran out of gas,” Dana Hills coach Matt Rosa said.

But the challenge of playing Damien and Ventura on a single day and defeating Division 1 foe Dos Pueblos of Goleta in the quarterfinals Friday will help prepare the Dolphins for the Division 1 playoffs.

“I’m really pleased (with the tournament),” Rosa said. “This helps us going into the playoffs.”

Dana Hills, ranked 10th in Division 1, will certainly pick up lessons from its duel against Ventura (16-8).

In the second period, Dana Hills had a chance to tie the score, 3-3, on a penalty shot but the Dolphins lost the chance after their shooter turned the ball over by throwing the ball before the referee’s whistle to shoot.

Dana Hills’ Brett Cleary scored the only goal of the third period with a counterattack strike to knot the score, 3-3.

In the fourth, the Dolphins also missed two chances to put away cross-passes in front of the Ventura goal and also didn’t convert a man-advantage. Dana Hills finished 0 for 4 with the extra defender.

The Dolphins, however, are contending despite returning featuring only one returning starter from last season. They also have only one key senior in center Drake Dunn.

Junior goalie Matt Bridges made 15 saves against Ventura.

"I'm proud of the guys," Rosa said. "We're playing at a higher level than I expected coming into the year."

Left-hander Tim Allen scored a match-high four goals for Ventura, which plays host to Mater Dei on Tuesday.

"We're going to enjoy this as much as we can," Ventura coach Matt Cherrie said, "because we know Tuesday is going to be a different deal (against Mater Dei)."