SOUTHERN SECTION WATER POLO : Foothill Rallies to Turn Back Pesky Irvine

Foothill shook off a shaky start, then took command in the second half to bounce Irvine from the Southern Section Division I water polo playoffs Friday.

With David Hay and Cabot Weaver each scoring three goals, Foothill rallied from an early deficit to advance with a 10-7 victory over the Vaqueros at Tustin High.

The Knights (19-8) will play Long Beach Wilson, which beat University, 18-5, in the second round Tuesday.

Irvine (19-8) started well, then faded in the second half. After trailing Foothill, 7-6, at the half, Irvine managed just one goal in the second half, with six seconds left in the game.

“We knew they were an emotional team and we told our kids to expect a close game at the beginning,” Foothill Coach Jim Brumm said. “We were rushing and that allowed their emotion to get going. But we settled down.”

Irvine led, 3-2, entering the second quarter before Foothill rallied. Hay, the Century League’s Player of the Year, led the surge by scoring all three of his goals in the second quarter, two on penalty shots. His goal with five seconds remaining in the half gave Foothill the lead for good.