Los Alamitos Brushes Off Artists

It’s taken 10 years, probably longer than most expected, but Los Alamitos has found its way back into the Southern Section water polo final with an 11-4 victory over Laguna Beach in a Division II game Saturday at Corona del Mar High.

The Griffins, who will meet Costa Mesa in Wednesday’s championship game at Belmont Plaza, also were the top-seeded team last season, but were upset by eventual champion El Dorado in the semifinals.

“We haven’t been to the section finals since 1987,” Los Alamitos Coach Tony Martinho said. “We were the top-seeded team last year going in, so it’s nice to get to the final game this year.”

The Griffins (24-4) took care of business early by scoring on their first four possessions and five of seven to take a 5-0 lead after one quarter.

Spencer Dornin scored his only goals of the game on the Artists’ initial two possessions of the second quarter to make it 5-2.

David Kong scored 51 seconds later with a man advantage, but Laguna Beach (19-9) stayed three back at the half when Jonny Geiger scored with 37 seconds remaining.

Laguna Beach didn’t get any closer. The Artists were held scoreless in the third quarter. Tyler Wawrzynski scored two of his four goals to give Los Alamitos an 8-3 lead.

Los Alamitos goalkeeper Craig Alshin had 13 saves and was a key in stopping third-seeded Laguna Beach, which reached the final last season.

“I thought Craig Alshin did a tremendous job today,” Martinho said.

In another Division II semifinal game:

Costa Mesa 9, La Habra 3--The second-seeded Mustangs (25-5) held La Habra scoreless in the second half after the score was tied at halftime, 3-3.

Chad Cleaver, Todd Hylton and Hunter Taylor scored goals in the third quarter for Costa Mesa. Kris Montgomery had two in a row to start the fourth and Taylor finished the run with his fourth of the game.

In a Division VI semifinal:

Brea Olinda 10, Chino Hills Ayala 5--Matt Flesher scored three goals in the second quarter as the second-seeded Wildcats outscored Ayala, 4-0, to take a 6-2 halftime lead. Flesher and Corey Bush led Brea Olinda with four goals each, and goalkeeper Jason Hart had 14 saves.

The Wildcats (20-10) will play top-seeded Rowland Heights Rowland in the final Wednesday at Belmont Plaza. The last time Brea Olinda advanced to the final was in 1994, when it lost to Rowland.