Laguna under-12 polo defeats Los Alamitos

A second-half rally nets a 12-10 victory.Having played Los Alamitos goal-for-goal during the first half of play, the Laguna Beach Water Polo Age Group under-12 boys’ team erupted in the second half and went on to post a 12-10 victory.

Nolan McConnell set the pace for Laguna by scoring the team’s first two goals. He scored again in the third period. Trevor Collins also scored three goals, each coming off a fastbreak and a lob over an outstretched goalie.

Spencer Dodson scored twice, once on an acrobatic, spin-around-the-back shot. Riley Browne drilled two goals from the outside, Erik Henrikson scored from the wing and Kirk Knott capped the scoring with a goal out of a whitewater scramble in front of the Los Alamitos goal.

Hunter French in goal and the defensive efforts of Sebastian Rogers, Jack Clark, Nicky Brunner, Tommy Renner, Tommy Crane and Niles Koegel held off Los Alamitos.

In 14-and-under action:

Laguna 18, San Clemente 2

Teamwork and strong defensive play was the difference for Laguna in its rout of host San Clemente.

The scoring was led by Nolan McConnell with four goals, Robbie Quellmalz and Derek Knott with three each and David Brunner, Robert Chew and Casey Connors with two each.

Zach Reigler and goalie Peter Weidner each scored once, with Weidner’s goal coming on a length-of-the-pool shot he launched from within his own goal. Weidner finished with four blocks and four steals and was protected by the upfront defensive play of Brent Donenfeld, Hunter French and Cole Kennedy.

Los Alamitos 12, Laguna 5

Los Alamitos bolted to a 7-2 halftime lead and went on to victory in a match that went five periods. Nolan McConnell scored twice and Robert Chew, Brent Donenfeld and David Brunner each scored once to lead Laguna on offense.