San Clemente Gets Even by Beating Wilson

San Clemente, the defending Southern Section Division 4-A water polo champion, turned to its defense to defeat fourth-seeded Long Beach Wilson, 5-4, in a Division I quarterfinal match Tuesday at El Toro High School.

The Tritons will meet South Coast League rival El Toro, a 13-7 winner over Newport Harbor, in the semifinals Friday at 8:15 p.m. at Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach.

It was retribution for the Tritons, who lost in the season to Wilson, 15-13 and 13-10.

“It’s plain and simple, we adjusted (our defense), “ said San Clemente Coach Steve Yancey, explaining the turnaround.

San Clemente (22-7) entered the fourth quarter with a 4-2 lead. “I told my assistant coach we would need two (more) goals going into the fourth quarter,” Yancey said.

Fortunately, for the Tritons, one was enough.

Senior Todd Pelkey scored an unassisted goal with 4 minutes 23 second left to play to give San Clemente a 5-2 lead.

Wilson (22-5) countered with goals by Pat Cochran, with 2:56 remaining, and Rick Westberg at 1:24.

Nick Fullerton, who finished with 11 saves for Wilson, had his last one with 26 seconds remaining. But the Bruins were unable to capitalize as San Clemente senior Bryce Matthews stole the ball with four seconds left.