San Clemente stuns No. 3 El Toro

Robby Stiefel scored from the left flat with about 20 seconds left to lift San Clemente’s unranked boys water polo team past host and No. 3 El Toro, 11-10, in a critical South Coast League match Monday.

It was San Clemente’s first victory against El Toro since 1996 – Coach Marc Parker’s first season at San Clemente — but also kept the Tritons’ chances of claiming at least a share of the league title alive in the Division 1 league.

San Clemente is now 4-2 in league with dates Tuesday at Aliso Niguel and Thursday at home against first-place Dana Hills (5-1 in league) at 5 p.m.

The Dolphins play host to Capistrano Valley on Tuesday.

El Toro (5-2 in league) concludes league Thursday at Capistrano Valley.

“We’ve put ourselves in position, that’s all you can ask for,” Parker said Monday night. “This is the time to peak, and hopefully we’re peaking.”

Stiefel scored four goals to lead the Tritons, who led, 10-8, in the fourth period before the Chargers tied the score.

Parker praised his team’s defense, which included 12 saves by goalie Adam Sandor.

"Our team defense was the best it's been," Parker said.

Derek Cousineau also drew four of the Tritons’ six exclusions. San Clemente went 4 for 6 with the extra attacker.

Chase Hamming and Taylor Russell each added two goals for San Clemente.