Gold, bronze for Laguna boys’ polo

The Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo boys’ 14-and-Under team won all six of its matches last weekend to win the gold medal at the annual San Diego Cup tournament

Laguna breezed to the title in a 32-team tournament that included squads from all over California. Laguna set the tone early, as every player scored in a tournament-opening, 18-5 win over Sultan.

Laguna’s Spencer Dodson received the tournament’s MVP honor and teammates Nolan McConnell and Erik Henrikson were named to the all-tournament team.

Laguna’s 14U boys water polo team is coached by Trevor Dodson and includes players Nolan McConnell, Spencer Dodson, Tyler Mancuso, Samer Alkateb, Erik Henrikson, Tommy Renner, Nicky Brunner, Jase Campos, Kirk Knott, Colin Garber, Jack Clark, Nile Koegel and Hunter French.

Laguna 8, Rose Bowl 3Nolan McConnell posted five goals, with goalie Erik Henrikson getting several assists on those goals, in another easy win. Spencer Dodson, Kirk Knott and Tommy Renner each added a goal for Laguna.

Laguna 12, Huntington Beach 4Laguna’s balance devastated their beach rivals from the north. Nolan McConnell again led the scoring, this time with four goals followed by Spencer Dodson with three, Jase Campos with two and Nicky Brunner and Jack Clark with one apiece. Even goalie Erik Henrikson, playing a rare stint in the field, got in on the scoring with a skip-shot goal off a feed from McConnell who was playing temporary goalie.

Laguna 7, Diablo 4Defense paved the way as Laguna held down the Diablo offense throughout the match.

Laguna’s scoring consisted of four goals by Spencer Dodson with four and Nolan McConnell with three. Jack Clark, Nile Koegel and Hunter French were credited with assists.

Laguna 10, Santa Barbara 6The outside shooting of Nolan McConnell resulted in six goals and Laguna disposed of Santa Barbara in a semifinal match.

Jack Clark and Jase Campos each scored once from the outside and Spencer Dodson scored the other two Laguna goals.

Laguna 9, La Morinda 7The division final pitted two teams with players that went up against each other at the Junior Olympics earlier in the year, a match Laguna won by a single goal.