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Marina at Disadvantage as La Habra Wins in First Round

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Before the start of its first-round water polo playoff game Friday against La Habra, Marina already was at a disadvantage.

Senior goalkeeper Don Armstrong would be staying dry because Tuesday he had surgery to reattach the retina in an eye. With Armstrong’s brother Mark, a freshman, in goal, La Habra took control in the first half and went on to win, 12-8, in a Southern Section Division II game at Golden West College.

Marina Coach Chad Roberts said it would have been closer if the Vikings had their starting goalkeeper. “I think it might have been a different story,” Roberts said. “But La Habra did a hell of a good job.”

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Last Friday, La Habra beat Marina, 11-8, in the North Orange County tournament. Don Armstrong, who originally suffered an eye injury during a summer-league game, re-injured it Saturday in another tournament game.

La Habra (18-8-1) wasn’t able to take advantage immediately Friday, leading only 1-0 on a goal by Josh Drysol after the first quarter. But the Highlanders got going in the second.

Drysol scored two more goals in the first 1 1/2 minutes of the quarter and La Habra led, 6-2, at the half.

“We just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” La Habra Coach Jeff Hopkins said, “and in the second quarter we did.”

Meanwhile Marina (11-13-1), which was the Division II runner-up last season, was struggling. Jeff Larson scored two goals on shots from about seven meters, but the Vikings missed many opportunities.

In one instance, Marina failed to score on a man-advantage situation after La Habra goalkeeper Shane Whittall was ejected. With an untended cage, Phil Muschetto’s skip-shot hit the bar.

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In the third quarter Marina’s Robin Beauregard took over in goal and the Vikings played La Habra even in the second half but never trailed by fewer than four goals. Beauregard finished with five saves--all in the fourth quarter.

La Habra goalkeeper Whittall, who had 15 saves, made sure Marina didn’t get any closer.

Drysol scored five goals and Jeremy Greenburg three for the Highlanders. Larson and Fassnacht each scored three for the Vikings.

La Habra will host Laguna Beach Wednesday.

In other Division II first-round games:

Laguna Beach 12, Katella 11--Spencer Dornin and Rob McClaire each scored four goals for the third-seeded Artists (21-7), who led, 10-7, after three quarters and held off the Knights (15-10). Laguna Beach goalkeeper Kai Bond had 11 saves. Dave Rooks had four goals for Katella.

Buena Park 14, Aliso Niguel 8--Jared Jones scored three of his five goals in the third quarter as the host Coyotes opened a 10-8 lead after a 5-5 halftime tie. Adrian Vanciu also scored five for Buena Park (20-8), which advances to play Los Alamitos.

Los Alamitos 20, Tustin 10--Los Alamitos scored 11 first-quarter goals. Tyler Wawrzynski scored five for the Griffins (19-6).

El Dorado 22, Pacifica 4--Seniors Robert Sellek and Kendal Benson each scored five goals to lead El Dorado in the victory. Luke Byward scored four for the Golden Hawks (22-6), who will play Costa Mesa Wednesday.

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Costa Mesa 20, Westminster 14--Todd Hylton scored seven goals and Jimmy Walters had six for the fourth-seeded Mustangs (20-6), who led 12-5 at halftime. Doug Davies scored seven for visiting Westminster.

Esperanza 16, Garden Grove 6--Bob Waltz and Chad Simendinger each had five goals for Esperanza (20-7). Matt Schoenaman had six saves for Esperanza, which will play Servite Wednesday. Garden Grove finished 19-8.

Servite 15, Sunny Hills 8--Servite jumped to a 9-2 halftime lead and cruised to an easy victory over Sunny Hills (13-14). Chris Hamme scored four goals for the Friars (22-5).

In Division VI:

Brea Olinda 13, Cerritos Gahr 3--Cory Bush had four goals and Matt Flesher added three to lead Brea-Olinda (20-7). The Wildcats will met Hacienda Heights Los Altos Wednesday.

Hacienda Heights Wilson 7, Magnolia 5--Justin Matsuno scored Wilson’s final goal on a breakaway with 1:59 left in the game.

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