Corona del Mar Defeats University, 12-4

Playing a strong second half, No. 1-ranked Corona del Mar High School defeated University, 12-4, in a 4-A semifinal water polo match Friday at Newport Harbor High School and will advance to the final against Sunny Hills Friday in Belmont Plaza pool at Long Beach.

“There was no one star today,” said John Vargas, Sea King coach. “They were all stars. We had no major breakdowns and played a good extra-man (six-on-five offense).”

Corona del Mar held a 5-3 halftime lead, but came on strong in the third quarter to take a 9-3 advantage.

The Sea Kings were led by senior Keith Head, who scored four goals, one in each quarter.

Corona del Mar (29-0) also was led by seniors Bill Harmon (three goals) and Chris Morgan (two).

Said Matt Campbell, University coach: “We played tough in the first half but they opened it up in the third quarter. The difference came down to their intensity. They seemed more prepared mentally.”

Corona del Mar won the Sea View League and University (21-7) finished third. The second-place team, Newport Harbor, lost its semifinal match against Sunny Hills Friday, 10-8.

In the 3-A division:

El Dorado 12, Indio 6--Senior Mike Tillman scored five goals in Palm Springs Park Pool to lead the defending-champion Golden Hawks into the final for the third consecutive season. Last season, El Dorado (25-4) defeated El Toro in the final, but lost to Hacienda Heights Wilson the season before.

The top-seeded Golden Hawks play No. 3 San Clemente Friday at Belmont Plaza.

San Clemente 8, Riverside Poly 3--The Tritons (20-6) advance to the final with an upset of the No. 2-seeded Bears in Sippy Woodhead Aquatic Park pool at Riverside. Greg Morris and Mike Burke scored three goals each for the South Coast League champion Tritons.

In 2-A division:

Costa Mesa 7, Redondo 5--With the victory, the Mustangs advance to the final against San Luis Obispo, which defeated El Segundo, 9-8. Shane Coons scored four goals, Craig Maness two and Tony Litwak one for Costa Mesa (20-10).