One defender after another stretched an arm high to swat away a shot attempt. The man-advantage hummed at an efficient clip. And Grant Loth controlled the tempest waters at 2 meters.
Mater Dei’s boys water polo team showed Tuesday night, March 9 that it has regained many of the traits that made it a seven-time CIF-Southern Section champion.
The Monarchs played strong defense, shared the ball on the power play and attacked from center in a 14-7 victory against visiting Orange Lutheran to improve to 2-0 in the Trinity League. Mater Dei also beat JSerra 14-7 last week in its league opener.
The UCLA-bound Loth paced the Monarchs with seven goals, including two even-strength strikes from set and four on the power-play. The Monarchs finished 7 for 8 with the extra defender but also racked up 10 field blocks on defense.
The COVID-shortened season might be ending soon but the Monarchs appear on their way to making a point under third-year coach Brian Anderson.
“This is a good team,” he said. “We rebuilt Mater Dei.”
End of 1st: @mdboyswaterpolo 4 @OLuWaterPolo 1 @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/18q1B1JnES
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Last season, the Monarchs lost in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs to eventual champion Harvard-Westlake but look much improved. They feature three strong juniors in attacker Logan McCarroll, defender Luke Redoutey and sprinter Ryan McManigal.
McManigal recorded two goals and three field blocks, including a thumping stuff at the end of the third period against the Lancers’ power-play. Orange Lutheran went 4 for 10 on the man-advantage.
Attacker Vince Merk, another promising junior, also collected three field blocks, a goal and two assists.
Luth was backed up at center by his sophomore brother Carter, who scored twice off the bench.
Mater Dei sophomore goalie Nathan Tauscher made eight saves to keep up with Orange Lutheran standout senior Brennis Lidecis, who had nine in three periods, including a penalty block against McCarroll.
“If we play as a team, we’ll take the W,” Grant Loth said. “We want to make the best of every moment. We want to come out strong, go up right away and put the pressure on.”
Mater Dei’s goal of capturing the Trinity League title will encounter another major test Tuesday against visiting Santa Margarita. The Eagles beat JSerra 20-3 in another match Tuesday.
Senior center Andrew Barnuevo scored three goals to lead Orange Lutheran.
In the girls match, Orange Lutheran edged Mater Dei 13-11 in overtime.
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