Boys’ Water Polo: Costa Mesa handily defeats Sage Hill
The Costa Mesa High boys’ water polo team used to have epic battles against Sage Hill.
Costa Mesa co-Coaches Cody and Dustin Serrano remember it well from their playing days with the Mustangs. The teams were rivals when both competed in the Orange Coast League.
This year, however, the talent disparity was obvious. Every Costa Mesa field player scored as the Mustangs defeated the Lightning, 23-4, in a nonleague game at Costa Mesa High.
Senior tri-captain Jacob Petersen and sophomore Teak Zachary each scored four goals to lead Costa Mesa (3-1), which is more concerned with its home match against Crespi at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Crespi is ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section Division 3. The Mustangs were not ranked in Division 3 when the first poll was released Monday, but would more than likely move into the top 10 by beating Crespi. They know they can hang with the Celts, as they suffered narrow overtime losses each of the past two seasons.
“It’s definitely redemption time [Thursday],” said Zachary, who added three assists against Sage Hill. “This was a great warmup going into it.”
Junior Tony Shin added three goals for Mesa, and senior Nick Ly, junior tri-captain Augie Cunningham, sophomore Caedmon Fisher and freshman Nick Vargo all scored twice. Senior tri-captain Corbin Fisher, August Akerstrom, Jake Fleener and Diego Vidrio all added goals.
Cunningham dished out three assists for the Mustangs, while Caedmon Fisher, Ly and Vargo led in the steals department with three each. Sophomore goalkeeper Tristan Trepas made 12 saves.
“We have a pretty solid team, where anybody can fill in and suit up,” Dustin Serrano said.
Trepas made seven of his saves in the opening quarter, which ended with Costa Mesa up, 6-0. The Mustangs quickly extended their lead to 15-1 by halftime. This was their first blowout win of the season, but more could be on the way.
“I was pretty excited going into this year,” Petersen said. “Throughout summer, we had a completely different attitude than last year. More positive, more motivating each other.”
Junior Zane Drobenko had three goals and two steals for Sage Hill (0-3), which scored twice on the six-on-five advantage and another on a penalty shot. Sophomore Adam Watson added the fourth goal for the Lightning, who played without senior standout Wyatt Manolakas.
Sage Hill assistant coach Teddy Bandaruk said Manolakas had prior obligations, and did not elaborate. What Bandaruk did say was mostly in praise of Costa Mesa.
“We were just outmatched today,” Bandaruk said. “Costa Mesa’s program has really accelerated over the last couple of years, and the Serrano brothers have done a great job of building the team back up. We’re building a new pool over at Sage, and I think that’s going to help a lot for our aquatic program.”
Costa Mesa, meanwhile, desires to be respected in Division 3. Last year, the Mustangs lost at eventual CIF semifinalist Montebello by a single goal in the first round of the playoffs. A win over Crespi would be significant.
“They’re top five in our division,” Dustin Serrano said. “We’d like to be considered in the top 10, definitely, for our division, and we think we are well deserving of one of those places.”
