Breaker poloists third at classic

Mike Sciacca

The Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo team captured third-place at

the Villa Park Classic by edging El Toro, 11-10, in sudden death

overtime.

Kat Gordon netted the winning shot for the Breakers, who improved

to 6-2 overall.

The classic drew 32 top programs and was won by host Villa Park,

which defeated Los Alamitos in the tournament final.

Laguna played its first match at Katella and its final four

matches at Villa Park.

Laguna opened the classic with an 18-8 drubbing of Katella. The

Breakers followed that win with a 17-5 triumph over Brea Olinda and a

9-7 victory over Arlington.

The win over Brea Olinda was Laguna’s second of the season: the

Breakers defeated the Wildcats, 15-12, in the season opener.

Arlington is the defending CIF-Southern Section Division III

champion.

Laguna’s lone loss came in overtime to Los Alamitos, 10-9, in one

semifinal match.

“The girls played really well,” Coach Rick McKee said. “This

tournament featured some really good teams and it was nice to get

that win over Arlington.”

In boys’ soccer, Laguna continued on a roll by netting three

victories last week.

The Breaker’s most recent win came Monday, a 2-1 nonleague

decision over Capistrano Valley.

Laguna led, 1-0 at the half on a first half goal by Clark Olson,

who was assisted by Derek LeBon.

Capistrano Valley (2-3-3) tied the score in the 76th minute on a

goal by Jessie Bela but in the 80th minute, Sam Luna scored off a

feed from Pablo Ramirez on Laguna’s final run to pull out the win.

Keeper Erik Haug had nine saves.

Previously, Laguna had defeated Sage Hill by an identical 2-1

score.

Both Breakers goals were scored by Brennan Hexburg with assists

going to Luna and Sean Koger.

Haug again had nine saves.

Laguna also was a 4-2 nonleague winner over St. Margaret’s.

Olson and Hexburg each scored two goals and LeBon and Ramirez each

had an assist.

Haug finished with 14 saves.

“He was phenomenal out there,” Laguna coach Giovanni Vlahos said

of the play by Haug in goal.

The three wins moves Laguna’s overall record to 5-1.