March ends on high note, Bury looks ahead

IRVINE — While one former Corona del Mar High star didn’t let the end sink in, the former standout from Newport Harbor spoke with delight about the future.

UCLA’s Michael March and Stanford’s Michael Bury share the same first name and they are from the same area, but they were on different paths following their season finale Saturday.

March was pleased just to finish the season. An aching back proved to be a challenge for him, but he dealt with the pain and ended his career with a goal in the Bruins’ 9-8 overtime win in the third-place game of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship Tournament at UC Irvine.

“This year has been a struggle,” said March, who was named Co-MPSF Player of the Week last week. “My goal was to make it through the season and I did it.”

He was unsure how to respond when describing his feelings on playing his final game.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” said March, who finished the season fourth on the team in goals with 24. “I know in a week I’ll realize it for sure when I’ll wake up and I won’t have to go to practice anymore. I’ve been in water polo since I was 10.”

As March left the pool side to sit with the spectators he shook hands with Stanford Coach John Vargas, his former coach at CdM. They smiled at each other as March said good-bye.

Vargas said UCLA’s depth made the difference Saturday. March was a part of that depth.

The Cardinal led 7-4 with 3:28 left in the third period, but UCLA rallied and caught Stanford at 7-7. The score was tied 8-8 at the end of regulation. Scott Davidson scored for the Bruins with 1:22 left in the second overtime period and UCLA held off the Cardinal for the win.

Vargas liked the way his team competed throughout the season, considering its youth. He expects his Cardinal to take it to the next level next year when Bury will be one of the leaders.

“He’s had an outstanding season for us,” Vargas said of Bury, a junior who has started the past two seasons. “He was great last year and he played even better this year.”

Bury scored Stanford’s first goal, which came on a six-on-five. He sometimes had March covering him during the game. Like March, Bury knows he’ll be expected to be a leader for his team next year. He appears to be ready.

“I definitely think I improved a lot from last year,” Bury said. “I was more of an integral part of the team this year.”

Bury and March weren’t the only locals involved in the game. Stanford senior goalie Beau Stockstill, a CdM product, was also there and watched his final game. He’s been the Cardinal’s third goalie and did not play Saturday.

His water polo career ended, but his relationship with his coach will continue. Vargas has been Stockstill’s coach seven of the past eight years. Stockstill was a part of Vargas’ final three CIF section championships and then the coach left for Stanford before Stockstill’s final season with the Sea Kings.

Then Stockstill joined Vargas at Stanford.

“We have been very close,” Stockstill said. “I can’t imagine playing for anyone else. I feel like I know how to approach him because he can be a very scary guy and I was able to get through the scary times in high school so I feel like I’m pretty good at communicating with him.”

Vargas said he will miss Stockstill.

“Whenever someone graduates it’s a sad day for me,” Vargas said. “We have a great relationship. I consider him a friend. I’m proud to have coached him.”

Stockstill has two quarters remaining at Stanford. He has applied to law schools and medical schools.

“I’m indecisive about which way to go,” he said. “It’s undue stress applying to both, but that’s the way I am I guess.”

UC IRVINE LOSES FINALE

The Anteaters’ men’s water polo team ended its season with a 12-11 loss to Long Beach State in the seventh-place game Saturday. Sophomore Cole Bielskis scored four goals to lead UCI (10-21). Senior Curt Melo and sophomore Jesse Hatch added two goals each and goalie Mark Garcia finished with five saves for the Anteaters.

Mountain Pacific

Sports Federation

Championship Tournament

Third-place Game

UCLA 9, Stanford 8

Score by Periods

Stanford 3 2 2 1 0 0 — 8 UCLA 3 0 3 2 0 1 — 9

Stanford -- J. Wigo 2, Hindle-Katel 2, Bury 2, D. Wigo 1, Jacobson 1. Saves -- Hohener 13.

UCLA -- Powell 2, March 2, Zider 1, Krikorian 1, Santos 1, Sbutega 1, Davidson 1. Saves -- Didinger 10.

Mountain Pacific

Sports Federation

Championship Tournament

Seventh-place Game

Long Beach State 12, UC Irvine 11 Score by Quarters

UC Irvine 2 3 3 3 — 11 Long Beach 3 2 3 4 — 12

UC Irvine -- Bielskis 4, Merlo 2, Hatch 2, Frank 1, Baxter 1, Newland 1. Saves -- Garcia 5.

Long Beach State -- Wilson 5, Gerardi 2, Geenwood 1, Korsgaden 1, T. Benson 1, Bradley 1, Del Grande 1. Saves -- MacKenzie 10.