Mira Costa’s boys water polo team avenged an early season loss to Montebello defeating the Oilers 10-9 to win the 45th annual Henry Stuart South Bay Water Polo Tournament on Saturday.
Facing a 6-on-5 Montebello advantage, Mira Costa’s Ed Jeon blocked a shot to preserve the win that capped off a successful week that included a victory at rival Palos Verdes that virtually assured the Mustangs a Bay League championship.
The South Bay Tournament title was Mira Costa’s first since 2010. The Mustangs beat Montebello 14-7 in the third-place game last season en route to winning the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship.
After moving up to Division 2, the Mustangs are currently ranked No. 3 while Montebello is ranked No. 3 in Division 3.
Mira Costa jumped out to an early lead against Montebello when Kurt Hoffman scored 29 seconds into the game and the Mustangs battled back after trailing 5-4 late in the second period when tournament MVP Jake Miller-Tolt and Finn Pardon scored goals to out Mira Costa ahead 6-5.
The Mustangs held a 7-6 at the halftime break when both teams made adjustments and the game turned to a defensive showdown. Mira Costa goalkeeper Nick Dale recorded seven saves in the match.
Early in the third period, Pardon scored his second goal of the game to give Mira Costa an 8-6 advantage but Montebello responded to keep the game close.
Jeon scored his second goal to push the Mustangs ahead 10-7 with just under 6 minutes remaining in the contest before Montebello scored twice to make it a one-goal game setting the stage for Jeon’s heroics and a Mira Costa win.
The Mustangs were coming off a 14-12 road win at Palos Verdes when Miller-Tolt scored five goals and Dale posted 10 saves.
After games against Peninsula and West, Mira Costa will compete in the 32-team Steven Pal Memorial Tournament hosted by El ToroHigh School Oct. 31 – Nov. 1.
