During the first week of September, Mira Costa’s boys water polo team began its season with a 10-9 victory over a strong Santiago/Corona team. The Mustangs finished their 2013 campaign with another one-goal win against Santiago, but unlike the first game that served as an examination of player talent, the third meeting between the teams was a test of perseverance.
Top-seeded Mira Costa (27-6) held off second-seeded Santiago for a 6-5 victory Saturday to claim the CIF Southern Section Division 3 at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine, giving the Mustangs their fourth CIF title and first since 2006.
Mira Costa had reached the finals and semifinals many times during that span.
“It’s nice to put one down after so long, Mira Costa head coach Jon Reichardt said. “I was beginning to wonder when it was going to happen again, but some teams never even make it that far.”
Reichardt said with so many experienced players returning, he thought the team would have a good chance of winning a championship. He was particularly happy for the seniors on his squad.
“The seniors really wanted it,” Reichardt stated. “They made a commitment after last season and had great workouts throughout the year. They were self motivated which made coaching them much easier.”
Going into the game, Reichardt expected a tough game, stating his team was “going to have to able to hit all our shots and play the best defense possible.”
With the Mustangs scoring only two goals in the second half, it was the latter that determined the outcome of the game.
Mira Costa finished with 20 steals, killed six of seven power plays and goalkeeper Nick Dale recorded 11 saves – the last one coming as time ran out in regulation – just two minutes, 40 seconds after Corey Erickson’s shot from the outside gave the Mustangs a 6-5.
In the first quarter, Mira Costa had trouble finding the net, falling behind 3-1 before scoring three unanswered goals in the second quarter.
Santiago scored the lone goal in the third quarter to even the game 4-4, but Mira Costa regained the lead on a power-play goal by Drew Rogerson with 5:25 remaining.
A power-play goal by Santiago knotted the game again with 4:52 left before Erickson gave Mira Costa a lead they would not relinquish.
Erickson, Rogerson and Andrew Todd each scored two goals for Mira Costa. Defensively, Todd and Austin Norris each recorded five steal and Ed Jeon and Rogerson added three steals apiece.“Our depth really helped us this year,” Reichardt added. “We had our share of injuries and illnesses, but players really stepped up to fill the voids. Our goalies, Nick Dale and Dylan Koester, split time this season and both did a fantastic job for us.”
