SOUTHERN SECTION WATER POLO ROUNDUP : Corona del Mar’s Defense Does a Number on Capistrano Valley

Corona del Mar combined flawless defense with some timely goals to post an 8-5 upset of second-seeded Capistrano Valley in a Southern Section Division I water polo quarterfinal at Corona del Mar High School Tuesday.

The Sea Kings (19-8) advance to play North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake in the semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

Corona del Mar’s defensive game plan worked to perfection, holding the Cougars’ high-scoring two-meter man, Jeremy Braxton-Brown, to one goal on two shots. Braxton-Brown fouled out with three minutes remaining in the match.

“It was great defense by Corona,” Capistrano Valley Coach Don Cholodenko said. “They really exposed our weaknesses.”

The Sea Kings (19-8) mixed different zone defenses to double-team Braxton-Brown, forcing the Cougars to shoot from outside.

Corona Del Mar goalie Greg Sawyer made nine saves, anchoring a defense that sparked a second-quarter offensive surge.

Crosby Grant scored two of his team-high three goals in the period, as the Sea Kings scored four second-quarter goals to take a 5-2 halftime lead.

Corona del Mar’s Charles Hueston scored two fourth-quarter goals to clinch the victory. Jake Yokota scored twice for Capistrano Valley (23-3).