El Toro Takes Its Shot at Dethroning Top-Seeded Wilson

David vs. Goliath is an overused comparison, but it’s the only way El Toro senior Trevor McMunn can look at tonight’s matchup against defending champion Long Beach Wilson in the Southern Section Division I boys’ water polo finals.

“In the back of every guy’s mind on this team, he’s thinking we can’t beat them,” McMunn said. “But . . . we also think we have a good shot.”

McMunn scored the game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime Saturday against second-seeded Newport Harbor for a 9-8 victory in the semifinals.

“I still haven’t come down from that game,” he said. “The farthest I’ve gotten with El Toro in the playoffs had been the second round. But to make it to the finals, and most of us seniors . . . it’s unbelievable.”

Top-seeded Long Beach Wilson, which will be gunning for its third consecutive title, is led by Tony Azevedo. After playing for the U.S. National team last summer, Azevedo rejoined Wilson’s team in October. The Bruins (25-2), who lost twice to Newport Harbor early in the season, haven’t lost with Azevedo in the lineup.

El Toro Coach Don Stoll said tonight’s game, beginning at 7 at Long Beach Belmont Plaza Pool, offers a daunting challenge for his Chargers (26-4).

“I don’t think anybody can beat Wilson.” Stoll said. “They have too much talent.”

But Stoll isn’t about to throw in the towel.

“We’ll be there,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”

McMunn said El Toro will have to play flawlessly.

“It will take a perfect game by us, and them to make some mistakes,” he said. “If we let them blow out our defense, we’re done.

“We all have to play 100%, both offense and defense. If we can, we might be able to make this a game.”

Despite his game-winning goal in the semifinals, McMunn, who plays the two-meter position, considers himself more a defensive player.

“I just like to play defense. I like to make steals and get things moving,” said McMunn, who had four steals against the Sailors.

SEA KINGS-FRIARS MATCHUP

Corona del Mar will be playing for its first Division II title in boys’ water polo against Servite beginning at 3:30 today at Belmont Plaza.

Corona del Mar (16-10) was moved from Division I to Division II this year when the Sea Kings were switched from the Sea View League to the Pacific Coast League.

The last time Corona del Mar reached the finals was 1994, when they lost to Wilson.

“I think there are some teams in Division II that would do very well in Division I,” Corona del Mar Coach John Vargas said. “Servite and Los Alamitos could compete with the best of them.”

Vargas, who coaches the U.S. National team, returned to Corona del Mar in October, while the national team is on a break.

Vargas predicts a competitive Division II championship game.

“They’re a very good team and the defending division champions,” Vargas said of the Friars. “The last time we played them they beat us pretty good [14-5 this season].”

Servite (24-5) defeated Saddleback, 11-8, in one Saturday semifinals.

In the other, Corona del Mar topped Los Alamitos, 4-3, thanks to a game-winning goal by 6-foot-8 senior Alex Niehenke.

“Servite is good, there’s no doubt about that,” Niehenke said. “They beat us before, but we were missing some of our guys. Hopefully, this will be a different game.”

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Water Polo

* What: Southern Section finals

* When: Today

* Where: Belmont Plaza Pool, 4000 Olympic Plaza, Long Beach

* Schedule: 3:30 p.m.--Division II: Corona del Mar vs. Servite; 5--Division VI: Rowland Heights Rowland vs. La Verne Bonita; 7:30--Division I: El Toro vs. Long Beach Wilson

* Admission: $6 adults, $3 students with ID and children under 12; separate admission charge for Division I final of $5 adults, $2 students with ID and children under 12

* Information: (562) 860-2414