Laguna boys’ win pair in polo tourney

The Laguna Beach Age Group Water Polo boys’ 14-and-Under team split four matches last weekend at the Speedo Cup Qualifying Tournament.

The three-day event, which began on Sept. 29, was held at the Laguna Beach High pool and featured eight club teams from throughout Southern California.

The winner of the tournament, Club Split, gained an automatic bid to the Speedo Cup which will be held in mid-November in Missouri.

Laguna came on strong in its final two matches of the tournament but did not qualify for next month’s national tournament.

Corona del Mar 12, Laguna 7

Laguna found the going tough against a strong Corona del Mar team in its tournament opener.

Nolan McConnell had a big match for the host team and scored six of Laguna’s seven goals. One of those goals was scored from the mid-pool point with one second remaining in the first half.

Dylan Payne scored on a bullet shot from the outside to account for Laguna’s seventh goal.

Club Split 16, Laguna 6

Eventual tournament champion Club Split closed the inside on Laguna and forced the locals to rely on its outside game.

Nolan McConnell again paced the Laguna offense, this time by scoring five of the team’s six goals. As had happened in the previous match against Corona del Mar, Dylan Payne provided the final goal for Laguna with another effective outside shot.

Laguna 8, Club Elite 5

Laguna climbed out of a 5-2 halftime deficit to win its first tournament match against Club Elite of Murrieta.

A big shift in momentum in the third quarter helped Laguna wipe out the three-goal halftime deficit. In the quarter, Laguna’s offense burned the net for six goals.

Hunter French, Spencer Dodson, Nolan McConnell and Dylan Payne came up with sharp passes, rebound goals, steals, breakaways, drives and also connected on outside scores.

The play of goalie Erik Henrikson kept the Club Elite offense in check throughout the match.

Laguna 8, Club SET 5

Laguna dominated play from the outset and ended the tournament on a high note.

Nolan McConnell scored five of Laguna’s eight goals and connected on shots from all aspects of the offensive game. Spencer Dodson scored twice, one coming off a pass from Kirk Knott as Laguna took advantage of a 6-on-5 situation, and Nicky Brunner scored once.

The Laguna 14U boys’ water polo team, coached by Chad Beeler and Nick McConnell, includes players Dodson, French, Knott, McConnell, Brunner, Henrikson, Payne, Jack Clark, Colin Garber, Riley Browne and Tommy Renner.