ROUNDUP : Second-Ranked San Clemente Shuts Down No. 1 Corona del Mar in Water Polo

The San Clemente water polo team held Corona del Mar to four goals in the final three quarters and defeated the top-ranked Sea Kings, 13-10, Tuesday at Corona del Mar High.

The second-ranked Tritons (6-1), who lost to the Sea Kings, 11-7, in the semifinals of the South Coast tournament Saturday, never trailed Tuesday.

After a fast-paced first quarter that ended in a 6-6 tie, the Sea Kings failed to score on 10 consecutive possessions and San Clemente led 7-6 at the half.

Corona del Mar (5-2) increased its defensive effort in the third quarter and Adrian Strelzow’s goal ended the Sea Kings’ scoring drought and cut the Triton lead to one goal with 5 minutes 40 seconds left in the quarter.

But Jordan Hewko scored his fifth goal of the game and Andy Bailey added another goal a minute later to increase the Tritons’ lead to three.

A penalty-shot goal by Neil Hueston made it 10-8 at the end of three quarters, but the Tritons started the fourth with a man-advantage goal by Colin Shaughnessy.

Thad Buzolich cut the lead to 11-9 with 3:31 remaining, but that’s as close as the Sea Kings would come as Andy Bailey and Jim Farley scored late in the game to secure the victory.

Gabe Gardner had 10 saves, including five in the fourth quarter, for the Tritons.

Hueston had five goals and Buzolich added three to lead the Sea Kings.