Defense Is Expected to Rule Waves in Rematch

Forty-one goals were scored the last time Burroughs and Crescenta Valley highs met in a water polo game.

Since each has an exceptional defense, no one should expect 1.5 goals per minute when the teams meet today in a Southern Section Division III quarterfinal game at Pasadena City College.

Burroughs, among eight teams from the region in the quarterfinals, edged the Falcons, 21-20, in a nonleague game early last season.

A year later, the matchup promises to be every bit as competitive, if not more compelling.

No. 2-seeded Crescenta Valley (23-2) has won 20 of its last 21 games, paced by top scorer Carlos Pelayo and a defense that allows only five goals a game.

No. 7 Burroughs (23-4) lost to Bell Gardens, 11-10, in the Almont League championship tournament, squandering an opportunity for a higher seeding. Bell Gardens is seeded No. 4.

Burroughs versus the Falcons is the kind of matchup that would be expected in the semifinals, not the quarterfinals. Crescenta Valley and Burroughs have been ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, in the division most of the season.

“I wouldn’t consider either team winning an upset,” Falcon Coach Pete Loporchio said.

Burroughs, fueled by Jason Falitz, the state’s leading scorer, upset top-seeded La Serna in the quarterfinals last year and is hoping for another big victory today.

“I actually would [consider it an upset],” Coach Rey Rivera said. “They’re putting in the time and have been really convincing. We give them all the respect they deserve.”

In other quarterfinal games today, No. 4 Harvard-Westlake faces San Clemente in Division I and top-seeded La Canada plays Whittier in Division III.

On Wednesday, No. 4 Ventura plays Agoura and No. 3 Royal faces Dos Pueblos in Division IV.

In Division VI, Flintridge Prep hosts top-seeded Rowland.