SOUTHERN SECTION WATER POLO : Los Amigos Makes Adjustment, Beats San Bernardino

When the Los Amigos water polo team hit the pool at Golden West College Saturday, co-Coach John Price figured his Lobos would have their hands full with San Bernardino.

Price was only half right.

From a 4-4 tie in the first half, the Lobos (22-8) took control in the second and rolled to a 12-6 victory in their Southern Section Division IV semifinal.

The Lobos will face La Verne Bonita at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the title match at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

“We knew San Bernardino would be tough,” Price said. “We expected a tough game.”

It was tough for the Lobos until they made an adjustment at halftime that effectively shut down Ryan Williams, who had three first-half goals. Basically, the Lobos collapsed their defense around Williams, daring the Cardinals to shoot from the outside. They did, and the Lobos’ goalie, Jeff Martell, responded with 16 saves.

“They were confident I could make the saves,” Martell said. “We were able to shut them down.”

David Isaacs and Scott Simmons led Los Amigos on offense, each scoring five goals.

“They were sloughing on me,” Isaacs said. “They didn’t think I was a threat.”

In a Division III semifinal match:

Trabuco Hills 12, Santa Ynez 11--Ryan Thacher had seven goals to lead Trabuco Hills (20-10) past Santa Ynez. Trabuco Hills will play Costa Mesa in the final.