The Los Alamitos High boys water polo team took a bumby ride at the South Coast Tournament, but finished on a high note as the Griffins closed the event with a 15-9 win over Orange Lutheran on Saturday afternoon.
The Griffins had a had a 17-11 win over Edison on Friday, but followed that with two close losses – 13-12 to WIlson High of Long Beach and 14-11 to San Juan Hills on Saturday morning. In the loss to San Juan Hills, the Griffins kept pace with the Stallions in a close game, but could not gain a lead.
They entered the fourth quarter trailing 10-9, but the Stallions scored first to extend the lead to 11-9. Senior attacker Elijah Webb got the Griffins back within one with a goal from the three-meter line as he was able to fire a shot past the goalie, despite heavy pressure from a defender.
But the Stallions pulled away from there, extending the lead to 14-10 before sophomore attacker Cash Trowbridge would add a goal with a shot from about seven meters. Interim Head Coach Robert Grayeli said the team seemed flat during the morning match. He said both ends, especially on defense, which he said has been one of the team’s better aspects.
“We just traded goals and any time we trade goals, it’s gonna, we’re gonna pay for it at the end,” Grayeli said.
Grayeli noted the previous night’s match against Long Beach Wilson, which the Griffins lost in overtime. Despite the loss, Grayeli felt like his team played well. Grayeli only took control of the team about 10 days prior, after Dave Carlson retired from coaching.
Grayeli said there has been a learning curve for both him and the players, but said he sees a lot of potential in the team.
“There’s some things we need to tweak to get better and some things that we need to focus on but all in all, they’re a good group of kids and they do work hard,” Grayeli said.
The Griffins play Fountain Valley on the road today and will host Foothill on Thursday at 4 p.m. They will host Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach on Monday at 3:30 p.m.