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Capistrano Valley’s boys water polo team and coach OJ Vazquez won another close playoff match Thursday.
Casey Becker scored a rebound goal with one second left in the fourth quarter to lift Capistrano Valley past visiting University 11-10 in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.
Last season, the Cougars won four consecutive one-goal matches under Vazquez en route to winning the Division 2 championship, the school’s first section title.
The run of narrow wins started
The run of narrow wins started in the second round and continued through a 9-8 win against Damien in finals.
With Thursday’s triumph, Capistrano Valley’s past five postseason victories are all by one goal.
Lucas Saman scored five goals to pace Capistrano Valley (16-12), the third-place team from the South Coast League.
Becker and Seb Viloria added two goals apiece.
On Tuesday, Capistrano Valley plays at El Segundo in the second round.
Left-handed Niccolo Troccoli scored four goals and goalie
Left-handed Niccolo Troccoli scored four goals and goalie Brendon Van Erp had 11 saves for University (18-12), the third-place team from the Pacific Coast League.
Dana Hills 13, Long Beach Poly 10: Gavin Calder scored six goals and Hutch Zeulner and Jake Powell each added three to lead the Dolphins (18-7) at San Juan Hills.
Dana Hills, the Sea View League champion, plays host to fifth-seeded Damien in the second round Tuesday.
Northwood 13, Aliso Niguel 9: Ethan Bui scored
Northwood 13, Aliso Niguel 9: Ethan Bui scored five goals and Colin Rivera had nine saves to lead the visiting Timberwolves (18-12), an at-large team from the Pacific Coast League.
Northwood plays host to No. 4 La Habra in the second round Tuesday.
La Habra 23, Glendora 8: Carter Johnson scored seven goals and Garrett Cardy and Caleb Gonzales each netted five to pace the host Highlanders (19-8).
La Habra plays at Northwood in the second round Tuesday.
Los Altos 10, Villa Park 8: Center Michael Volmer snapped an 8-8 tie with a goal with 12 seconds left in the third period and the Conquerors (17-12) blanked the No. 2 seeded Spartans (17-11) in the fourth quarter to post the upset at El Modena High.
Villa Park went 0-10 shooting in the final
Villa Park went 0-10 shooting in the final period with a few shots hitting the post.
Senior Daniel Barr scored five goals to lead the Spartans, the North Hills League champion.
Troy 14, Xavier Prep 12: Adam Rivera scored five goals to lead the host and No. 4 Warriors (19-16).
Troy plays at Brentwood in the second round Tuesday.
More results to come. Please check back for updates.
