PREP WATER POLO / SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : Brian Pharris’ Late Goal Puts Villa Park in the Semifinals

With a spin, a shot and a goal, Brian Pharris helped send Villa Park into the Southern Section Division I water polo semifinals.

Pharris scored with 2 minutes 20 seconds remaining to give third-seeded Villa Park an 8-7 victory over Newport Harbor in a quarterfinal game Tuesday at Newport Harbor.

The Spartans (25-4) advanced to play second-seeded Long Beach Wilson in the semifinals Saturday. Newport Harbor ended its season 20-6.

Pharris, who scored two of his three goals in the fourth quarter, scored the winner after he received a pass in the hole, spun around his defender and fired a close-range shot past Newport Harbor goalie Graham Harvey.

“That was the move of the year,” Villa Park Coach Jeff Ehrlich said.

But Pharris’ heroics were made possible by a defensive effort led by his brother, goalie Jon Pharris, who had 10 saves.

After Newport Harbor’s Chris Richardson scored his fourth goal to give the Sailors the lead, 7-6, with 4:44 remaining, Jon Pharris made three saves in the next two minutes to keep Villa Park within one.

Brian Pharris pulled Villa Park even, 7-7, scoring the tying goal with 3:04 remaining. He added the final goal 44 seconds later, then Villa Park’s defense sealed the victory.

Villa Park forced four Newport Harbor turnovers in the final two minutes with Jon Pharris making his sixth steal to end Newport Harbor’s final possession in the closing seconds.

The Sailors were in control early, leading, 4-2, after one quarter. Newport Harbor also led by one heading into the fourth quarter.

But Villa Park’s Kyle Baumgarner scored his third goal of the game and 79th of the season to tie it, 6-6, to begin the comeback. Then the Pharris brothers finished it.

In Division I water polo:

El Toro 13, Capistrano Valley 7--Shane Lindstrom and Matt Sakatani each scored four goals for fourth-seeded El Toro (23-5), which will play top-seeded Foothill in the semifinals.

Jake French scored five goals for Capistrano Valley (15-14).

Foothill 15, North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake 7--Jeff Pflueger scored seven goals and sophomore Robby Arroyo added five for the top-seeded Knights (25-1).

Long Beach Wilson 13, San Clemente 8--Adam Wright scored six goals for second-seeded Long Beach Wilson (20-3-4).

Jordan Hewko scored three goals for San Clemente (16-11).