El Toro falls in final of North-South Challenge

El Toro's bid for state-wide bragging rights in boys water polo fell short Saturday in the finals of the North-South Challenge in Atherton.

Orange County's top-ranked team suffered its first loss, and it came against the top team from Northern California.

Miramonte of Orinda got 19 saves from junior goalie Jon Sibley as it remained undefeated with a 9-5 victory.

Miramonte (18-0) led, 4-0, in the first period. The Chargers (22-1) closed to 4-3 but the Matadors led, 7-3, going into the fourth period.

“I'm a little disappointed because my guys didn't come to play early,” El Toro coach Don Stoll said. “They're (Miramonte) real good.”

State bragging rights now lie with Miramonte, which earlier won the S & R Sport Cup in Irvine and a major tournament in Northern California.

"Right now (they do)," Miramonte coach James Lathrop said. "Next weekend (at the Memorial Cup in San Jose) is going to be really tough, too."

Griffin White and Russell Renteria each scored twice for El Toro. White drew a pair of 5-meter penalties and converted each chance.

Goalie Tommy O'Connell suffered a groin injury in the second period but stayed in the match.

Bret Lathrope, James Perry and Stephen Siri each scored twice for Miramonte.

El Toro advanced to the finals with an 11-8 victory against Sacred Heart Prep in the semifinals. Jeff Zaccaro had three goals and three assists to pace the Chargers, who led 9-3 at one point.

In the third-place match:

Sacred Heart Prep of Atherton 8, Los Alamitos 6: The Griffins (21-4) lost after extending Miramonte in a 10-9 loss in the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Los Alamitos led, 7-5, going into the fourth period. The Griffins tied the score, 9-9, with about 45 seconds left on a goal by Joe Ferretti off an underwater play.

On Miramonte's next possession, Tommy Briskey scored the winner on a lob.

In the fifth-place match:

Mater Dei 9, Menlo 5: Colin Carroll made 16 saves to lead the Monarchs (19-6).

In the seventh-place match:

Santa Barbara 11, Villa Park 10: Josh Samuels scored his fifth goal with 1:21 left but that is as close as the defending champion Spartans (17-6) would get. 

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com