Laguna boys go the distance

The Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo boys’ 14-and-Under team joined

forces with Laguna Beach High’s incoming freshman boys’ water polo

team this past weekend to play in a 16-and-Under tournament at

Northwood High in Irvine.

Two Laguna teams were among the eight teams competing in

tournament play.

Laguna’s “A” team was composed of six freshman -- Victor Alcone,

Morgan Brick, Drake Dixon, Chris Kennedy, Harrison Phelps and Sean

Spera -- along with 14- and 12-and-Under players David Brunner,

Robert Chew, Zach Riegler, Cole Kennedy, Spencer Dodson, Nicky

Brunner, Nolan McConnell and Hunter French, and 10-and-Under player,

Riley Brown.

The “B” team was made up of the same 14- and 12-and-Under players,

which played six consecutive games.

Los Alamitos 8, Laguna Beach “B” 5

The “B” team started the tournament with a close loss to Los

Alamitos.

David Brunner led Laguna with three goals and Nolan McConnell was

next with two.

Laguna Beach “A” 7, St. John Bosco 5

Victor Alcone scored twice in the first quarter, once on a

backhand shot off a pass from David Brunner, and once with an easy

lob that escaped the reach of the St. John Bosco goalie.

Nolan McConnell scored Laguna’s only goal of the second quarter

when he took a pass from Chris Kennedy, and goalie Harrison Phelps

blocked a shot attempt to allow Laguna to keep a 3-2 halftime lead.

By the end of the third period, Morgan Brick scored and Phelps

came up with another big stop, but St. John Bosco rallied with two

goals to tie the match at 4-4.

The fourth quarter began with another block by Phelps, followed by

goals from McConnell and Chris Kennedy. With 25 seconds left in the

game, Kennedy stole the ball and passed to Brunner for the final

goal, which gave Laguna a 7-5 lead.

North Irvine 10, Laguna Beach “A” 6

David Brunner and Victor Alcone each scored three goals to pace

Laguna.

Brunner scored his first goal in the opening quarter, then posted

two goals in the second quarter -- each coming from the mid-pool

area.

Laguna trailed at the half, 7-3.

Alcone scored all three of his goals in the second half of play.

Laguna Beach “B” 18, North Irvine “B” 8

Laguna had little problem with the “B” squad from North Irvine as

the team scored seven goals in the first quarter and rolled from

there.

Spencer Dodson led the first quarter scoring barrage with three

goals, while Riley Brown scored twice and Robert Chew and Zach

Riegler had one goal apiece.

Goalie Hunter French had one save and Brown made a key steal in

front of the Laguna goal in the opening quarter to prevent North

Irvine from scoring.

Riegler started off the second quarter with a goal and after North

Irvine scored on a rebound attempt, goals were made in quick

succession by Brown and Nicky Brunner.

Those two goals increased Laguna’s lead to 11-4 at the half.

In the second half, Robert Chew scored three goals, Brunner scored

twice and Riegler and French each scored once.

Laguna Beach “B” 8, St. John Bosco 8

Zach Riegler and Harrison Phelps each scored twice and Riley

Brown, Nolan McConnell, Robert Chew and Nicky Brunner each scored

once as Laguna fought St. John Bosco to a tie.

Hunter French recorded four saves.

Laguna Beach “A” 8, Dana Hills 8

David Brunner led Laguna with five goals in the tie with Dana

Hills.

Victor Alcone contributed two goals and Morgan Brick had the other

Laguna goal.

Harrison Phelps had eight saves, and twice blocked consecutive

shot attempts by Dana Hills.