Laguna boys’ polo capture bronze

The Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo boys’ 14-and-Under team took third-place last weekend at the seventh annual Laguna Beach Water Polo Tournament.

The tournament, which attracted several traditionally-strong regional club programs, was played at the Laguna Beach High pool.

Laguna went 2-1 in the tournament and won the bronze medal match.

Laguna 10, Capo Valley 4

The host team made its presence known right off the bat, using its new isolation offense to surprise Capo Valley.

The offense scheme had Laguna overloaded one side of the pool with the exception of one player, and the tactic confused the Capo Valley defense. With players stacked one side, the “isolated” Laguna player was on the other side of the pool and quarterbacked an offensive play.

Nolan McConnell led the Laguna offense with four goals. Kirk Knott contributed three goals and Jack Clark, Nicky Brunner and Hunter French each scored one.

Newport Beach 9, Laguna 8

Laguna took eventual tournament champion Newport Beach to the wire but eventually dropped a one-goal decision.

Nolan McConnell again led Laguna offensively, this time with six goals. He scored four times from the outside and twice from inside.

Outstanding passing by Dylan Payne led to his own goal and Nicky Brunner scored on one of his patented lob shots from the outside for Laguna.

Laguna 8, Corona del Mar 7

Laguna took on longtime rival Corona del Mar in the bronze medal match. Corona del Mar had dominated the locals all year but this time, couldn’t turn them away.

Laguna against used its isolation offense and again, Nolan McConnell was killer from the perimeter where he scored six goals including one from half-pool just before halftime .

Kirk Knott added another outside score and Hunter French, who was effective inside, converted a rebound into a lob goal to complete Laguna’s scoring.

Laguna’s defense held firm with goalie Erik Henrikson blocking numerous shots to keep Corona del Mar at bay.

Laguna’s 14U boys’ water polo team is coached by Ethan Damato.