Agoura Sinks in Its Boasts

Before its Marmonte League game against Royal High on Wednesday, Agoura’s water polo team was looking for an upset.

After the Highlanders crushed them in their own pool, 15-5, clinching their 16th consecutive Marmonte League championship, the Chargers were looking for a place to hide.

Agoura players talked up the game at school to try to boost attendance and, in an effort to solicit coverage, parents of players sent faxes to local newspapers stating the Chargers’ plans to “sink” Royal.

But in front of the largest water polo crowd (about 125) in Coach Jason Rosenthal’s seven years at Agoura, it was Royal that had everything covered.

“I just told the guys I don’t want any more fans at the games,” Rosenthal joked. “I think deep down they were concerned about their appearance. We picked a bad day to not play well.”

That might have been part of it, but the Highlanders (20-5, 7-0 in league) were a different team than they were in a 10-7 victory over Agoura (17-7, 5-2) last month.

These Highlanders came out clearly defensive-minded, forced turnovers on 11 of Agoura’s first 13 possessions and took a 6-0 lead midway through the second period.

“We knew we couldn’t let them get ahead in their own pool,” Chris Richeson of Royal said. “We wanted to come out strong and we had to press real hard.”

After taking a 7-1 halftime lead behind Richeson’s two goals and two more by David Radka, the Highlanders extended the margin to 9-1. Agoura’s Noah Bookman scored three goals in the final minute of the third period to pull his team within 9-4.

But Royal had six steals in the fourth--18 in the game--and the Highlanders scored six more goals to complete the rout.

“We didn’t intend to run up the score on them,” Highlander Coach Steve Snyder said. “We just played our game.”

Richeson had five goals and six steals for Royal and Nate Ball added three goals.

Snyder, displeased after his team’s previous effort against Agoura, seemed more at ease after this game, especially with the playoffs approaching.

“This is just one step along the way, but it’s an important one,” he said.

“We’ve had inconsistencies all year but when you want your team intense and healthy is now.”