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SOUTHERN SECTION WATER POLO ROUNDUP : Corona del Mar’s Defense Does a Number on Capistrano Valley

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Corona del Mar combined flawless defense with some timely goals to post an 8-5 upset of second-seeded Capistrano Valley in a Southern Section Division I water polo quarterfinal at Corona del Mar High School Tuesday.

The Sea Kings (19-8) advance to play North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake in the semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

Corona del Mar’s defensive game plan worked to perfection, holding the Cougars’ high-scoring two-meter man, Jeremy Braxton-Brown, to one goal on two shots. Braxton-Brown fouled out with three minutes remaining in the match.

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“It was great defense by Corona,” Capistrano Valley Coach Don Cholodenko said. “They really exposed our weaknesses.”

The Sea Kings (19-8) mixed different zone defenses to double-team Braxton-Brown, forcing the Cougars to shoot from outside.

Corona Del Mar goalie Greg Sawyer made nine saves, anchoring a defense that sparked a second-quarter offensive surge.

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Crosby Grant scored two of his team-high three goals in the period, as the Sea Kings scored four second-quarter goals to take a 5-2 halftime lead.

Corona del Mar’s Charles Hueston scored two fourth-quarter goals to clinch the victory. Jake Yokota scored twice for Capistrano Valley (23-3).

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