Water polo: Mater Dei rallies for 93rd consecutive victory [Video]

Trailing, 6-2, in the third period, unbeaten Santa Ana Mater Dei rallied for an 8-6 water polo victory over Harvard-Westlake in an action packed nonleague game before a packed crowd at Mater Dei. It was the Monarchs’ 93rd consecutive victory.

“It really hurts,’’ said Harvard-Westlake’s Johnny Hooper, who scored three goals. “It stings to have lost that game.”

Harvard-Westlake (13-2), ranked No. 2 in Southern Section Division 1, couldn’t hold off the Monarchs (14-0) in the fourth period. Nick Silvers had a pair of goals for Mater Dei, which received 13 saves from 6-foot-8 USC-bound goalie McQuinn Baron.

“I’m proud of the guys at their composure,” Mater Dei Coach Chris Segesman said.

With pressure building in the fourth period and Harvard-Westlake clinging to a 6-4 lead, Mater Dei took command. Baron kept frustrating the Wolverines, and Silvers was able to unleash a pair of powerful shots that got past goalie Anthony Ridgley.

Harvard-Westlake’s only losses this season have been to Mater Dei, which won its 93 consecutive game dating back to 2010. The Wolverines are getting closer.

“It’s the second of probably four battles,” Segesman said. “We’ll probably see them in two weeks [at a tournament]. The games keep getting better and better.”

Hooper, who led Harvard-Westlake with three goals, vowed to do all he can to reverse the Wolverines’ fortunes.

“We had the game and let the crowd and emotion get us,” he said. “We couldn’t pull through. I promise you we will win the CIF game. I will be at every practice working my teammates as hard as I can so that we can win CIF.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com