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El Toro sinks Esperanza
El Toro sinks Esperanza
The Chargers advance in the CIF water polo playoffs.
But Stoll's concern didn't last long. Top-ranked El Toro unleashed a flurry of counterattacks in the third period and went on to post a 12-5 victory in a Division I first round playoff match.
Dalton Stokes, Nick Rascon and Russell Renteria each scored counterattacks and Rascon added another goal off a drive as the Chargers (27-2) scored four consecutive goals to open a 10-3 lead going into the fourth.
“I was pleased how they responded,” said Stoll, whose Chargers play host to Dos Pueblos in the quarterfinals Friday at 3:15 p.m.
Dos Pueblos rallied past Harvard-Westlake, 7-6, in another match Wednesday.
Esperanza's Daniel Lenhart and Grant Morgan each scored from center on the Aztecs' first two possessions of the second half to cut El Toro's lead to 6-3. While the Chargers responded by turning on their jets, Esperanza (13-16) had a chance to stay close but failed to convert on three man advantages in third.
“I thought we had a chance to scrap back in there,” Esperanza coach Galen Diaz said. “I was proud of our effort.”
Esperanza finished 0 for 6 with the extra attacker; El Toro was 1 for 4.
El Toro's Griffin White finished with a match-high four goals and added four steals. El Toro goalie Tommy O'Connell helped fuel the counterattack with 12 saves. He also had three assists. Lenhart, a left-handed junior, finished with three goals.
In other Division I matches:
Corona del Mar 11, Northwood 4: Isle Anderson made 12 saves to lead the host Sea Kings (18-9), who play third-seeded Los Alamitos on Friday.
Los Alamitos 15, Buena 3: Ryan Fattal, Austin Trinkle and Forrest Watkins each scored four goals to pace the Griffins (24-5) at the Joint Forces Training Base.
Newport Harbor 17, University 6: David Linden scored a season-high six goals to lead the host Sailors (21-7), who play host to Santa Barbara on Friday. Colin Hicks scored five goals and drew six exclusions for University (15-14).
Foothill 14, Irvine 6: Backup Jose Cueto had 11 saves at Beckman to lead the Knights, who played without starter Jay Lovero (groin). Foothill (21-7) plays Friday at Ventura, which beat Loyola, 10-8.
In Division III:
Costa Mesa 6, Redlands East Valley 5: Cody Serrano had five goals and seven steals to lead the visiting Mustangs (19-10), who took a four-goal lead into the fourth.
In Division V:
Troy 11, Whittier 7: Clark Barry made 22 saves and Josh Stedman had seven goals to lead the Warriors (25-5) at El Dorado.
Buena Park 20, Beaumont 8: Thomas Porter and Shane LaFortune combined for 11 goals to lead the Coyotes (17-10) at Cypress College.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com





