Costa Mesa Edges Marina to Reach Semifinals

HUNTINGTON BEACH — All week long, Costa Mesa Coach Scott Taylor had been warning his players not to take Marina lightly. It was a difficult task for his players because they had soundly beaten the Vikings twice this season.

And it was apparent Wednesday that Marina wasn’t about to roll over and die.

Costa Mesa won, 11-9, in a Division II quarterfinal water polo game at Golden West College.

“I think they [Costa Mesa] were looking to the next round. They were thinking they would beat Marina again like they did twice before. But it wasn’t like that at all. We were lucky to get out of here with a win. I’m glad it’s over,” Taylor said.

It was senior Chad Cleaver’s go-ahead goal with 55 seconds left that was the winner.

“I took a great pass from Kris [Montgomery] and I was able to shoot,” Cleaver said. “This was not the same team we played the last two times. I have to give them credit. They came to play, and they almost got us.”

Hunter Taylor sealed the victory when he scored the game’s last goal with 12 seconds left.

Cleaver also was a key component on Costa Mesa’s defense. He made a steal after Montgomery tied the score, 9-9, with about 1 1/2 minutes left to play.

“We wanted this game bad, especially since we were eliminated last year in the early round,” Cleaver said. “But we knew what we had to do.”

Cleaver and Taylor each had three goals. Two-meter man Todd Hylton and Alex Soria each had two.

Justin Fassnacht, with five goals, and Jeff Larson, with four, accounted for Marina’s scoring.

In the semifinals Saturday, Costa Mesa (24-5) will play La Habra, which upset Servite, 13-11.