A rough first quarter proved to be too much for the Los Alamitos High boys water polo team to overcome, as they fell to Corona del Mar, 13-4, in a CIF-SS Division 1 playoff game on Nov. 11 at Corona del Mar High.
The Griffins were able to move the ball and pressure the Sea King defense, but could not convert and the Sea Kings had some counterattacks that help them build an 8-1 lead early in the second quarter.
The Griffins knew the Sea Kings had a defense that could press and keep offenses backed up. Head Coach Brent Danna said his team worked the ball well to set up opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize. Sea King goalie Matt Moran had nine saves and made some strong Griffin shots.
“The offense I thought was running well and it did what we wanted it to do, we just couldn’t put our shots away,” Danna said.
Both teams were scoreless in the third, as the Griffins got to within 9-3 at 5:03 of the fourth.
But that would be as close as they would get. Paul Carey had two goals for the Griffins, while Adam Lott and PJ Desoto each added one.
“I’m proud of the effort and intensity, we knew we had a tough game on our hands, we just had to execute and we didn’t execute,” Danna said.
The Griffins had entered the playoffs as the third place team in the Sunset League. Danna said he knows they have the talent to be a contender for a CIF title and the returning players will work hard in the offseason to come back strong next year.
“We’re going to train and work the next nine months so we can come back next August ready to compete in the Sunset League and make a run at CIF,” Danna said.