IRVINE - Katella's boys water polo team used a strong defensive effort to make history on a few fronts Saturday.

In a matchup of first-time finalists, the Knights defeated Empire League rival Valencia, 7-1, in the CIF-SS Division VII championship at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.

The Tigers' Chris Drake scored on a long perimeter shot in the second period but the top-seeded Knights (18-12) delivered a shutout for the final 18:04 of the first-ever Division VII final.

In claiming its first title, Katella (22-9) became only the third Southern Section team to capture a title by allowing only one goal.

“Defense is what won this game mostly,” Katella junior David Montanez said. “It's a really good feeling winning CIF.”

First-year goalie Dylan Peterson anchored Katella's defense with 17 saves but the 6-foot-2 sophomore had plenty of help.

The Knights deterred Valencia's shooters with a web of raised arms in the field.

Katella also held Valencia to an 0-for-4 effort on the power play. Peterson made two of his saves against Valencia's man advantage.

“The goalie was the MVP of the game, by far,” said Katella co-coach Dave Mikesell, who shared duties with veteran Grafton Weiss.

Montanez paced Katella's offense with three goals, including the first two of the match. But the left-hander also defended 2 meters and helped the Knights shut out Joe Wieland, who entered with 19 postseason goals. Katella dropped extra defenders from the wings to contain Wieland at center.

Katella went 4 for 5 on the man advantage with goals from Dillon Avila, Garrett Weiss, Ben Burnett and Montanez.

The Knights also became the first Anaheim Union High School District team to capture a section water polo title.

In the Division V final:

Los Osos of Rancho Cucamonga 9, Troy 7: In another clash of first-time finalists, the top-seeded Grizzlies (28-5) scored the first four goals, including three on counterattacks, en route to the title. “We felt we had to win the counter game,” Los Osos coach Eric Cypher said.

The Grizzlies put the clamps on Orange County's leading scorer, Josh Stedman, who entered with 166 goals.

Katella and Los Osos qualified for next weekend's Masters.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com