Laguna Beach boys’ water polo comes in second

Twelve regional teams competed in Southern Pacific Championship tourney in Irvine.By winning three of its four matches at the Heritage Park Aquatics Center in Irvine last weekend, the Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo boys’ 14-and-under team earned a second-place finish at the Southern Pacific Championships.

The tournament drew 12 teams from Laguna Beach, Irvine, Corona del Mar, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, SoCal, TRAP, Golden West, Elite and Northwood.

Laguna 11, Northwood 2

Laguna jumped out to a 7-1 halftime lead in its tournament opener, played at 8 a.m. Saturday.

David Brunner posted three goals and Hunter French, Spencer Dodson, Robert Chew and Nolan McConnell each scored once in the first half for Laguna.

The defensive play of Cole Kennedy, Casey Conners and Cody Alter limited Northwood to just one goal in the opening half. Dodson scored consecutive goals in the fourth quarter, followed by goals by Zach Riegler and Brunner, to complete the scoring for Laguna.

Goalie Peter Wiedner came up with multiple blocks and a pair of steals for Laguna.

Laguna 16, Los Alamitos B 6

David Brunner scored just 11 seconds into the match, Zach Riegler scored 19 seconds later and Brunner scored again off a steal before the match was one minute old -- allowing Laguna to roll to victory.

Brunner led all scorers with five goals, followed by Riegler, Nolan McConnell and Spencer Dodson with three apiece. Robert Chew and Derek Knott each scored once.

Laguna 10, Dana Hills 3 A match Sunday played between teams who finished first in their respective brackets went to Laguna.

David Brunner scored on a four-meter free throw 10 seconds into the match to put Laguna on top. Brunner went on to score two more goals and Nolan McConnell one -- all before the end of the first quarter -- as Laguna took a 4-0 lead.

Brunner also scored once in the second quarter. With Peter Weidner coming up with a pair of blocks, Laguna shut out Dana Hills and headed into the half with a 5-0 lead.

Robert Chew scored the only goal posted by Laguna in the third period. McConnell and Spencer Dodson scored single goals and Brunner capped the scoring by netting the final two goals of the match.

Corona del Mar 7, Laguna 2

In the championship match, Corona del Mar jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat Laguna. Spencer Dodson scored Laguna’s only goal of the first half from set position to narrow the deficit to 4-1. Robert Chew scored in the fourth quarter for Laguna.

In 12-and-under boys’ action:

The Laguna Beach boys’ 12-and-under team went 4-1 in play at the Irvine Water Polo Tournament and went on to finish second in weekend action at the William Woolett Aquatics Center.

Laguna began tournament play by edging Cal Baptist, 9-8, then posted consecutive dominant victories over SoCal (14-6) and Newport Beach (16-2).

Laguna’s lone loss came at the hands of eventual tournament champion Corona del Mar, 17-7.

In its final tournament match, Laguna was awarded a forfeit victory over Chino Hills.

Laguna was led in scoring and pool play by Jack Clark, Jack Dodson, goalie Erik Henrikson, Trevor Collins, Erik Montgomery, Cade Montgomery, Matthew Payne, Tyler Mancuso, Kirk Knott, Nick Channels, Caleb Scott and Rian Atherton.