Boys water polo: Sea Kings drop first of season

IRVINE - Corona del Mar High’s boys water polo team was knocked off

its undefeated perch Saturday against Coronado in the championship game

of the Southern California Invitational at Heritage Park, losing 8-6.

The Sea Kings, ranked No. 1 in Southern California, improved to 11-0

with their 8-4 semifinal victory over Harvard-Westlake, but Coach John

Vargas’ squad lost its first game of the season against Coronado, which

never trailed.

In the semifinals, Beau Stockstill (seven saves) and Sherwin Kim

combined for 10 goalie saves, while John Mann (three goals), Mike March

(two), John Money (two) and Jason DiRocco (one) provided the offense for

Corona del Mar. March also had three steals.

In the title game, CdM’s Marcello Pantuliano led the defense with six

steals -- two each in the first, third and fourth quarters.

Coronado’s Doug Mann scored three goals to lead the victors, while

Thomas Hopkins and Alexis Fernandez scored two goals each.

Newport Harbor, meanwhile, finished 3-1 in the tournament with two

victories Saturday -- a 6-4 win over Jesuit and 14-7 decision over

Miramonte.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INVITATIONAL

(at Heritage Park, Irvine)

Championship

Coronado 8, Corona del Mar 6

Corona del Mar 0 2 1 3 - 6

Coronado 2 2 2 2 - 8

CdM - March 2, Pantuliano 1, Mann 1, Dorr 1, Money 1. Saves -

Stockstill 2.

Semifinals

Corona del Mar 8, Harvard-Westlake 4

Corona del Mar 1 2 2 3 - 8 Harvard-Westlake 0 3 1 0 - 4

CdM - Mann 3, March 2, Money 2, J. DiRocco 1. Saves - Kim 3,

Stockstill 7.