Harvard Shows Balance in Trouncing Agoura, 20-7

If there was one thing that the Harvard-Westlake High water polo team proved Wednesday in its 20-7 dismantling of host Agoura, it is that the Wolverines have more--a lot more--than All-American Jim Toring.

A rundown of the highlights from the nonleague match’s first four minutes:

-- A goal by Harvard junior Luther Weidner.

-- Another goal by Weidner.

-- A goal by Harvard junior Ryan Salceda.

-- A goal by Toring.

-- A third goal by Weidner.

About the only thing hotter than the poolside deck was Harvard’s fast-moving offense, which cruised into halftime with a 14-4 lead.

By that time, Toring, a junior, was resting comfortably in a folding chair, soaking up some late-afternoon rays.

“They just have a real balanced attack,” Agoura Coach Mike Mulligan said. “You hear all this talk about Toring, but they just have too many weapons.”

For the record, Weidner led the way with six goals, and Salceda and junior Alan Paul each scored four. Toring had just one.

Harvard Coach Rich Corso, whose team improved to 12-1, barely deliberated before resting Toring. After all, Corso believes the Wolverines are a better team when the scoring is distributed.

“We had a man-up situation and they still put a man on Toring,” Corso said. “That basically turns it into a six-on-four situation and frees up another arm for us. Hey, we’re really a good team. But when they put two guys on Toring, it makes us a better team.”

Almost lost in the blowout was the play of sophomore goalie Peter Kiefer, who made nine saves and provided a solid anchor to an already tough Harvard defense.

For Agoura (4-7), the master stroke on an otherwise blank canvas was the play of Erik Edwards, who scored three goals.

Agoura, which recently was dropped from the Southern Section 3-A Division top 10, still has its eye on the Marmonte League season and rival Royal, ranked No. 8 in the latest 3-A poll.

“This is still preseason,” Mulligan said. “This is just getting us ready for league, which in turn will get us ready for the playoffs.”

Meanwhile, Harvard, ranked No. 2 in the 3-A, showed its resiliency after a tough, 10-9 loss to top-ranked La Serna in a tournament final Saturday.