ANDY TEMPLETON, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ryan Johnson of El Toro shoots against the defense of Eperanza's Brady Vriens High during their CIF playoff game at El Toro Wednesday afternoon..
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El Toro sinks Esperanza
Comments 0 | Recommend 0El Toro sinks Esperanza
November 12, 2008 3:00 AM
OCVarsity.com
El Toro boys water polo coach Don Stoll said he considered calling a timeout after Esperanza trimmed the Chargers' lead to three goals early in the second half Wednesday.
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.
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
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