San Clemente scores late to beat Woodbridge 8-7 in boys water polo showdown

Woodbridge’s Aria Ghajar is guarded by San Clemente’s Hayden Kahn.

San Clemente and Woodbridge, two boys water polo teams ranked in the top 10 of the county pre-season poll, put on an exciting nonleague match Tuesday that went down to the wire.

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San Clemente, ranked ninth, scored with about a minute remaining to defeat eighth-ranked Woodbridge 8-7 at Woodbridge.

Spencer Herbert scored the game-winning goal for the Tritons (2-0). Both teams are in the CIF 1-2 division which eventually determines playoff seedings.

Christian Hosea led San Clemente with three goals. Woodbridge (2-1) was led by Solan Kedzie and Riley Pittman with two goals each.

“I thought we had good moments and bad moments,” said San Clemente Coach Logan Powell. “We were a little consistent, but we played well overall and did what it took to win. Woodbridge is a really good team. I thought they did a good job executing when they needed to.

“I talked with Coach (Matt) Campbell before the game and figured it was going to be a barn-burner and ended up being one.”

Goalie Trevor Benge was also solid for San Clemente.

San Clemente held a 5-3 lead at halftime and led 6-3 early in the third quarter. But Woodbridge countered with consecutive goals by Pittman, Joseph Faza and Nikola Mirkovic to tie the match 6-6.

It remained tied after three quarters.

Ryan Farrier put the Tritons ahead, 7-6. Then Woodbridge tied it 7-7 on a  goal by Aria Ghajar before the Tritons pushed across the game-winner.

Woodbridge had the ball with 4.5 seconds left but could not convert.

“I thought we would match up just like we did,” Campbell, the Warriors coach, said. “I thought it would be a great game. We led in turnovers and I think that was the difference in the game. We had a few blown opportunities, but it was a great game and we will see them again (in tournaments or playoffs).

“It will be one of those games every time we play them, one goal either way.”

Mirkovic missed the last few minutes with an injury.

“It was something with his calf, we’re not sure,” Campbell said.