Boys water polo: CdM wins 18-and-under title

MISSION VIEJO - The Corona del Mar boys 18-and-under “A” water polo

team, comprised mostly of players who will compete in the fall under CdM

High Coach John Vargas, captured the Capistrano Valley Tournament

championship Sunday and improved to 34-3 this summer.

Corona del Mar defeated CIF Southern Section Division II and Pacific

Coast League rival Laguna Beach, 8-4, in the finals at Saddleback

College.

Chris Hinger and John Mann each scored two goals for CdM, while

Marcello Pantuliano, Bobby Messenger, Artie Dorr and David DiRocco added

one goal apiece for the champions. Sherwin Kim (five saves) and Beau

Stockstill (four) split time in goal for CdM.

CdM, which is scheduled to play next in the Honolulu Invitational Aug.

13-18, jumped out to a 3-0 lead against Laguna Beach in the first quarter

and led from wire to wire.

In the semifinals, Corona del Mar’s Sea Kings edged El Toro in

sudden-death overtime, 8-7, on Mann’s goal. Pantuliano assisted on the

winning goal. Mann and Jason DiRocco scored three goals each for the

winners, while Dorr and David DiRocco had one each.

Stockstill (nine saves) and Kim (five) kept El Toro at bay in the

second half (giving up only two goals) and in overtime (none).