The stands were packed with fans from both Ventura High School and Corona del Mar High School.  Alumni, current students, and family were ready to cheer on their Varsity boys in the CIF Quarterfinals for waterpolo.

The game started off with the bagpiper that has appeared for several games.  Soon after he finished, the buzzer sounded and the boys were off.  Junior Chase Watson scored the first goal of the game in the first two minutes, giving CdM a  lead as he quickly scored two more goals, one off of a nice pass from senior Jim Krolopp.

In the second quarter, senior Max Bergeson scored two goals, and seniors Justin Papa and Blake Terry each scored one.  CdM held a lead all throughout the first half, with Ventura behind one or two points.  However, during the third quarter, the game got much tougher.  Bergeson scored another goal, as well as Papa.  Junior Evan Ramsey played a very good game.  He scored twice in the third quarter, and played well both offensively and defensively.  At the end of the quarter, CdM and Ventura were tied, 11 to 11.

The last quarter was nerve wracking.  CdM and Ventura scored one right after the other, keeping the fans keyed up and the score very close.  Watson and Ramsey each scored one goal, and Bergeson scored two.  Bergeson made the game winning goal with 4.87 seconds left in the game, winning the quarterfinals 15 to 14.

CdM was awarded two penalty shots, one from Watson and one from Emory Molnar.  Bergeson took both shots, but Ventura’s goalie blocked them, one of the few to do so.  Junior Bruce Bearer played a nice game in goal, blocking 13 goals throughout the night.

“I think the game was closer than it should have been,” said senior Katie McCormick.  “But the boys kept in control the whole time and [were] patient, especially in the last play.”

CdM plays rival Newport Harbor for the third time in the semifinals on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.  The past two times they faced Harbor, CdM has played hard, but lost.

Tonight, a close game was played by CdM’s varsity waterpolo team against Mater Dei.  The CdM Seakings started the game off with the first goal, but the Mater Dei Monarchs quickly grabbed the lead, and held it for the majority of the game.

Junior Bruce Bearer played an excellent game in goal.  He blocked several shots with dives, his head, and his chest.  The chants of “Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce” could be heard int he stands after every good play.

The first quarter was close.  Both seniors Max Bergeson and Michael Liao scored one goal, leading to a quarter tally of 2-2.  Junior Chase Watson scored in the second quarter.  Bergeson racked up another point on a penalty shot.  However, Mater Dei led 5-4.

Watson returned, scoring two points.  Bergeson threw another one- the game was tied 7-7 at the bottom of the third quarter.  The fourth quarter was tense.  Coach Barry O’Dea gained a yellow card after yelling at the ref.  Bergeson gained a short lead when he scored goal number eight (his fourth of the night.)  Liao tied the game back up with his second goal of the night.  Senior Justin Papa scored the game winning goal, leading the Seakings to victory, 10-9.

“[We] played an awesome game,” said senior Isle Anderson.

Corona del Mar had a tough game against Newport Harbor this past Saturday.  The infamous “Battle of the Bay” game was bright and sunny.  The Sea Kings were pumped and ready to go.

Senior Max Bergeson had five goals, including one that was shot from a half-pool length away. Seniors Justin Papa (two) and Blake Terry (one) also contributed.  However, the goals weren’t enough.  Newport Harbor kept the lead throughout the whole game except for once, when both teams were tied.

Coach Barry O’Dea received a yellow card after yelling at the ref.

“We played a really good game,” said senior Michael Liao.  ”We’ll meet again this weekend, and I think we’ll win.”

Both the Frosh/Soph team and the Varsity/JV team beat Laguna Hills last Wednesday.
Junior Chase Watson started the Varsity game (played by both Varsity and Junior Varsity because Laguna does not have a JV team) with a strong backhanded goal. He scored two more throughout the game. Senior Max Bergeson scored four times, followed by junior Hayden Leech with three goals. Junior Will Havercroft scored a goal on a penalty.
Senior Isle Anderson played the first half in goal. He blocked 11 shots. Junior Bruce Bearer played for a quarter and a half, blocking four shots. Sophomore (and junior varsity goalkeeper) AJ Santa Maria played for the last three minutes of the game.
Senior Michael Liao, juniors Ari Marks and Evan Ramsey, and sophomore Emory Molnar each scored one goal for a total of 15, beating Laguna Hill’s 11 points.
The Frosh/Soph team won 12 to 3.

This past week, Corona del Mar’s varsity waterpolo team competed in the South Coast Tournament.  In their game on Friday, September 25, CdM battled Loyola.  They lost, eight to five.

Junior Chase Watson scored once, while senior Max Bergeson scored three times, leading the team.  Senior Justin Papa also scored once.

The game was an agressive one.  Fouls were constantly called on both teams.  Junior goalie Bruce Bearer played strong, blocking several shots with ease.

CdM previously played Edison on Thursday the 24th, winning 11 to 3.  Later, they played San Clemente and won 12 to 5.  They played the Bishops (La Jolla) on Saturday the 26th, winning 11 to 8.  They played again, later that day, for fifth place, but lost to Dos Pueblos 13 to 5.

CdM won sixth in the tournament, out of 25 teams in Southern California.

On Wednesday, Corona del Mar Waterpolo started off the season with a bang. Varsity boys, led by senior Michael Liao with three goals, beat Harvard-Westlake 10-8.

The game was close- the teams stayed within two points of each other for the majority of the game. With several turnovers, the game kept a fast pace. CdM played well, passing the ball to each other with a familiarity born from hours of practice. One such play resulted in junior Chase Watson’s pass to senior Blake Terry, who tossed it into the goal for his second point of the day.

Other goal scorers included Watson, junior Evan Ramsey, junior Emery Molnar, senior captain Justin Papa, and senior Andrew Fisher.

Goalie Bruce Bearer played a good game, blocking eight goals.