PREP ROUNDUP : Gardner Sparks San Clemente to Water Polo Victory

San Clemente, ranked No. 1 in Southern Section Division I, jumped to a six-goal halftime lead, then got several key saves from Gabe Gardner to beat No. 2 Long Beach Wilson, 10-6, in a nonleague water polo match Tuesday at Saddleback College.

Gardner, who finished with 20 saves, found himself in several one-on-one situations with Wilson’s Pat Cochran, considered one of the top players in the state. Their most crucial confrontation occurred with 1 minute 40 seconds left to play, and Wilson trailing, 9-6.

Cochran stole the ball at mid-pool and drove in on Gardner. Cochran tried to loft the ball over Gardner’s head, but Gardner extended his 6-foot-9 frame to palm the ball.

Colin Shaughnessy and Jimmy Farley scored two goals each as San Clemente (13-1) led, 6-1, after one quarter. The Tritons led, 7-1, at halftime, and, 8-4, entering the fourth quarter.

A goal by Cochran with 5:56 remaining pulled Wilson (10-2) to within 8-6 with 5:56 left, but Shaughnessy scored two minutes later, and capped the scoring with a goal with one second left. His four goals led the Tritons.

The two teams could meet again this weekend at the Southern California Invitational at Long Beach State.