Boys water polo: Harbor downs another ranked team

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - After sustaining patience and overcoming a physical

challenge, the Newport Harbor boys water polo team is now two thirds of

the way to sweeping high-profile teams in one week.

Villa Park, No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division I, went down on

Tuesday. And Foothill, ranked No. 4, followed suit Friday, when the

Sailors broke away from a 6-6 game to defeat the Knights, 11-8, at

Harbor.

The Sailors, No. 2 in CIF Division I will host Los Alamitos, No. 2 in

Division II, today at 10 a.m. And it is apparent, Harbor is finding its

rhythm by playing as a team.

“We’re starting to play our game,” said Harbor senior Ryan Cook, who

scored three goals. “In the beginning of the season, we weren’t playing

as a team. Now we’re coming together.”

Harbor busted out of the 6-6 tie in the third quarter to outscore the

Knights, 5-2. After leading 5-4 at the half, Harbor made its move in the

third quarter and broke open the lead to 6-4 when Peter Belden

capitalized on the man-up situation.

But, Foothill answered with two quick goals and took the lead, 7-6, as

Blake Seymour scored with two Harbor defenders covering him. Harbor then

closed out the quarter with three straight goals to turn the tide. Cook

started the run with a goal right in front of the net with 2:11 remaining

in the quarter. Then Caine Littrell threw one in less than a minute

later. Steve Jendrusina took advantage of a six-on-five 40 seconds later

for another score.

Harbor then cruised in the fourth quarter outscoring the Knights, 2-1.

The Sailors didn’t start the game as hot as they played in the third

quarter. The Knights (14-10) jumped out to a 4-3 lead to end the first

quarter. Knights goalie Ian Elliott, who plays for the junior national

team, recorded five saves in the quarter and finished with 10.

The Knights unleashed an onslaught of grabbing and pulling on defense

in the second quarter. Foothill maintained its physical play throughout

the contest in attempt to take Harbor out of its game, Sailors Coach

Brian Kreutzkamp said.

“This was a physical, physical game,” he said. “I’m proud of our guys

for sticking together.”

Kreutzkamp also noted his team is coming together at the right time.

He knew this week would be crucial for the Sailors (16-4).

“We targeted this week since the beginning of the season,” he said.

“We knew this would be a tough week for us. If we can sustain momentum

we’ll be able to win against Los Alamitos.”

With momentum gained from the victory over Villa Park, Harbor was able

to control Foothill. The Knights’ physical play led to six ejections and

five man-up situations for the Sailors. Harbor scored on four of the

advantages.

Throughout the game, the scoring and highlights went back and forth

leading to four lead changes.

“It really wasn’t a pretty game,” Foothill Coach Jim Brumm said.

“Maybe it was great for the fans, but not for us. Newport just controlled

the situations. They handled the game better than us. They have great

senior leadership on their team.”

One of the seniors, Belden, finished with a game high four goals. He

scored the last goal for the Sailors when he completed the assist from

Littrell, another senior who scored twice.

“The best thing we did is that we didn’t get into it with them,” Cook

said. “They were a physical team. As long as we play our game, we’ll be

all right.”

NONLEAGUE

Newport Harbor 11, Foothill 8

Foothill 4 0 3 1 - 8

Newport Harbor 3 2 4 2 - 11

Foothill - Fox 3, Alexander 2, Blake 2, Benjamin 1.

Saves - Elliott 10.

Newport Harbor - Belden 4, Cook 3, Jendrusina 2, Littrell 2.

Saves - McLain 10.