Beckman’s boys water polo team poses for a team picture after Wednesday’s semifinals. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
Pacific Coast League rivals Beckman and Northwood set out Wednesday to reach the finals of the CIF Division 3.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
Photo courtesy Patrick Keyes
Photo courtesy Patrick Keyes
Photo courtesy Patrick Keyes
Photo courtesy Patrick Keyes
Both both teams dropped semifinal matches at the Woollett Aquatics Complex in Irvine.
Beckman, which had the best season in school history, lost to Schurr 7-5 while Northwood, trying to reach the finals for the third time in school history, fell to Santa Barbara 10-9 although Coach Kyle Kim-E’s Timberwolves rallied from a 10-4 deficit after three quarters and had a chance to tie the game in the final minute.
Keanu Pascal, Dylan Gambill, Bradley Clamson, Eli Schwartz and Nathan Monette each had one goal for Beckman, which was playing at the same time in a different pool as Northwood.
“I believe our guys played a tremendous game overall with a lot of opportunities created and almost 30 shots taken and 11 opportunities on the man up and unfortunately only three converted,” said Beckman Coach Duje Grubisic.
“Even though we were ready and prepared for them and kept them at seven goals defensively we lacked a little bit of offensive finishing to put the team away.”
Beckman had a memorable run to the semifinals.
“Beckman hasn’t even passed the first round yet and this year we went way past that all the way to the semifinals,” Grubisic said.
The coach said most of the players return next year.
“The future looks absolutely bright,” the coach said.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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