Mustangs lose grip on league crown

Costa Mesa boys water polo for Wed.Saddleback pulls away from Costa Mesa in the second half of a game that could decide the league championship.SANTA ANA -- Last year the Costa Mesa High boys water polo team swiped the Golden West League crown away from Saddleback. Tuesday, Saddleback probably took it right back. It’s too early for Saddleback (10-5, 4-0) to claim the league title as its own, but the team took a huge dive in the right direction with a 13-8 victory over visiting Costa Mesa (12-5, 2-1).

“October 11 has been circled on my calendar since I got the schedule,” Saddleback Coach Monte McCord said. “We know Costa Mesa is our main competition in league. We always feel whoever wins this game is in the driver’s seat.”

Saddleback came out looking to contain Costa Mesa star Kyle Thorsness and succeeded. The Roadrunners held Thorsness to one goal. The senior utility player scored from the 2 meter slot in the first quarter, then was consistently double- and triple-teamed the rest of the game.

Costa Mesa stayed close in the first half, pulling to within 6-5 on a goal from the perimeter by Sam Edman. But Saddleback went on a 4-0 run from the end of the second quarter to early in the fourth quarter to take an 11-6 lead.

Five different players scored for Saddleback, including Erik Ramirez (four goals), Josh Garcia (three goals) and Christian Roman (three goals). Christian Colchado, playing with a sore wrist, added two goals.

Costa Mesa goalie Scott Neslage, facing more than 30 shots, came up with 15 saves.

“Our goalie kept us in the game for as long as we were in it,” Costa Mesa Coach Tim Postiff said.

Postiff said his squad seemed lacking in the intensity department compared to Saddleback.

“Monte does a good job getting his team up for big games,” he said.

Junior John Roche led the Mustangs with four goals, including two in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. Edman added two goals for the Mustangs.

Costa Mesa felt coming into the game that a loss would mean giving up the league title. Now the team is trying to keep its head above water.

Golden West League

Saddleback 13, Costa Mesa 8 Score by Quarters