El Toro handles Mater Dei, claims N-S Challenge again

El Toro’s fourth-ranked boys water polo team became the first two-time champion of the North-South Challenge by defeating No. 2 Mater Dei, 14-9, in the final Saturday night in Atherton.

Junior center Russell Renteria led six El Toro players in scoring with six goals. Nick Rascon had three goals while Joey Fuentes sadded two.

Sophomore goalie Garrett Danner made 15 saves for El Toro (20-3), which capture the inaugural tournament in 2006.

The tournament attracts eight top teams from Southern California and eight from Northern California.

El Toro led Mater Dei, 9-3, in the third period and finished the tournament with four victories of at least four goals or more.

“They now know what they can do if they play for each other,” said El Toro coach Don Stoll.

In the semifinals, El Toro defeated Carlsbad, 12-6. Six different players scored for the Chargers.

El Toro has won 2 of 3 matches against Mater Dei (16-4) this season.

At the Canyon Tournament:

El Modena 11, Long Beach Millikan 2: Lucas Spencer scored five goals and Thomas Patterson had five assists to help the Vanguards (16-3) cruise in the final.