Laguna teams double up on Corona del Mar

Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo’s 14-and-Under boys’ A and B team scrimmaged Corona del Mar in a five-quarters match Saturday at Laguna.

In the first quarter, a strong defensive effort by Spencer Dodson, David Brunner, Nolan McConnell, Robert Chew, Robbie Quellmalz, Casey Conner and goalie Hunter French, led to several steals and limited Corona del Mar to a single goal.

Chew netted Laguna’s only goal of the quarter with 37 seconds left on the clock to tie the score, 1-1.

Laguna’s B team, consisting of French again in goal, Zach Riegler, Derek Knott, Brent Donenfeld, Nile Koegel, Jack Clark, Tyler Mancuso, Jase Campos, had their hands full with the Corona del Mar offense, and the visitors sprinted to a 7-0 lead in the quarter.

In second quarter action, Laguna A fell behind, 1-0, but got the equalizing goal from Chew. A steal moments later by Chew gave Laguna possession, but a combined four shots on goal by Conner and Quellmalz, didn’t find the net. But Brunner did convert a shot to give Laguna a 2-1 edge. Corona del Mar did score again before the end of the quarter to end the period in a tie.

Laguna B held Corona del Mar to three goals in their second go-round in the pool, and finally scored on a Donenfeld shot with 22 seconds left in the quarter.

Laguna A went up against Corona del Mar in the final quarter, which remained scoreless until the last two minutes.

In a heated end to the game, Chew deflected a shot on goal and later, Laguna was down two players due to ejections but still was able to thwart a Corona del Mar shot attempt. Corona del Mar, however, scored with 40 seconds left in the quarter.

Laguna A had the final say, though, as Brunner scored from the outside to beat the buzzer and end the quarter at 1-1.