The third time was the charm for Mira Costa’s top-seeded boys water polo team as it advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship with a 15-10 victory over fourth-seeded ML King of Riverside.
Coach Jon Reichardt’s Mustang squad avenged an 11-10 loss on Sept. 28 and its 7-6 loss in last year’s semifinal loss to King.
Mira Costa’s Austin Norris scored three goals in the first five minutes to five the Mustangs a lead they would not relinquish.
“Jumping out to an early lead was key,” Reichardt said. “I think we took them out of their game early and they couldn’t catch up.”
Holding a 6-2 lead in the second quarter, Mira Costa’s Andrew Todd scored two goals in less than a minute.
King narrowed the margin at 9-6 in the third quarter before Norris scored on a power player, Todd scored on a penalty shot and Gabe Smith scored to give the Mustangs a 12-6 lead.
Nick Dale recorded 13 saves and Smith and Ed Jeon each scored twice in the win.
Mira Costa (26-6) will face second-seeded Santiago/Corona (24-8) for the title on Saturday at 4 p.m. at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine.
Santiago prevented the championship game from being an All-Bay League contest when the Sharks beat Palos Verdes 11-10 in double overtime. The Sea Kings finished their season with a record of 20-12.
Mira Costa is looking for the trifecta against Santiago after defeating the Sharks by scores of 10-9 and 9-4.
“We have beaten Santiago twice this season but that has no bearing on the playoffs,” Reichardt said. “It’s gonna be a tough game and we are going to have to able to hit all our shots and play the best defense possible.”
