Mater Dei moves on to meet JSerra

IRVINE - Since the end of last season, the Mater Dei boys water polo team has had aspirations of defending its CIF-Southern Section Division II championship.

Wednesday night that dream became a reality.

Behind the all-around efforts of Alex Wherry, the top-seeded Monarchs rolled to a 17-6 victory over Villa Park in a Division II semifinal match played at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine.

With the victory, Mater Dei (25-5) advances to its third consecutive Division II final, where it will meet Trinity League rival JSerra on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. at Woollett.

"The goal this season was to have the opportunity to play in the big game," Monarchs coach Chris Segesman said. "Fortunately we succeeded."

The Monarchs grabbed control of the game early, jumping out to a 6-3 first-quarter lead, at one point scoring on five consecutive possessions.

Wherry provided the surge for Mater Dei's offense. The senior attacker netted four goals in the second quarter and finished the first half with seven, giving the Monarchs an 11-5 halftime advantage.

"Alex is the best player in Orange County," Segesman said. "He is great both offensively and defensively, and we are just privileged to have him."

Wherry did not add another goal in the second half, but recorded five steals on the defensive end.

The Spartans (20-11) cut the deficit to 11-6 on a goal by Robby Leither with 5:18 remaining in the third quarter, but failed to score again.

"We are excited about playing JSerra, they are a good team and we have our work cut out for us," Segesman said. "But it's going to be fun, No. 1 against No. 2."

JSerra 14, Servite 8: The second-seeded Lions (18-9) advanced to their first CIF championship with a victory over the Friars (14-19) at the Woollett Aquatics Center.

Leading 6-4 at the half, JSerra held Servite scoreless in the third quarter. The Lions' Nick Santala started and ended the third with goals, scoring on the first and last possessions of the quarter, giving JSerra a 10-4 lead headed into the fourth.

Servite's only source of offense came from Spencer Van Horne, who scored five of the team's eight goals.

JSerra coach Petar Asic was pleased with his team's effort and feels regardless of Saturday's outcome, the season has been a success.

"Mater Dei is an awesome team," he said. "It is going to take teamwork, but we will do our best to give them a game."