Ocean View uses late surge to edge Segerstrom

The reigning league champs didn't concede anything to the rising competition.

Left-hander Glenn Baumann scored four goals, including two on fourth-period penalty shots, to lead visiting Ocean View past upstart Segerstrom, 5-4, in a Golden West League boys water polo match Tuesday.

The defending league champion Seahawks moved into a first-place tie with the young Jaguars, who started three freshmen and four juniors.

Segerstrom won the teams' first league duel, 5-4, so the Division 7 contenders are now knotted at 6-1 in league with three matches apiece remaining.

The Jaguars also owned a tournament victory against Ocean View entering Tuesday's showdown. But the Seahawks responded by scoring the first three goals en route to a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Segerstrom then scored the next four goals to take a 4-3 with 5:04 left in the fourth but Baumann converted 5-meter penalty throws with 4:10 and 3:03 remaining.

The Seahawks' stiff defense sealed the victory with steals by goalie Brian Smith and Jordan Stout in the final minute.

For Ocean View, the victory marked a stand of sorts. The Seahawks were hit hard by graduation after capturing their first league title under Coach Melissa Fernandez in 2011. Ocean View also reached last season's Division 7 quarterfinals with high-scoring Steven Kornahrens, now red-shirting at reigning state champion Golden West College.

"I know a lot of people thought after last year, when we lost everyone, we'd be kind of back down," Fernandez said. "I had some young guys who just worked (hard) in the offseason to really keep us at that same level. I've been really proud of them."

Baumann and Cody Basford (one goal) were the key seniors for the Seahawks. Smith, a junior, made six saves and five steals. Junior Ryan Tran drew both of the penalty shots in the fourth, one at 2 meters and the other on the counterattack.

Segerstrom took a 4-3 lead in the fourth on a backhanded shot from center by freshman David Molina.

The second-year program also got eight saves and two steals from Danny Gomez and two third-period goals from junior Jonathan Cubillo. And the Jaguars still have a chance to tie for their first league crown.

"We're young and we're just trying to catch up," Segerstrom coach Tim Fredericksen said. "They're doing a great job. It's just a matter of playing and getting more experience."

Segerstrom and Ocean View are ranked sixth and 10^th, respectively, in Division 7.

In another match:

In the Trinity League:

Santa Margarita 17, JSerra 5: Riley Smith scored six goals as the host Eagles (15-9, 3-1) clinched second place in the Division 1 league.