Agoura rattles Royal’s cage

Boys’ water polo squad secures second section crown since 2007


DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS—Agoura High’s Danny McClintick, center, puts the clamps on Royal’s Zach Graper during Saturday’s CIF-Southern Section Division 4 boys’ water polo title match in Irvine. Agoura led 7-0 at halftime and never looked back in claiming the section crown.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS—Agoura High’s Danny McClintick, center, puts the clamps on Royal’s Zach Graper during Saturday’s CIF-Southern Section Division 4 boys’ water polo title match in Irvine. Agoura led 7-0 at halftime and never looked back in claiming the section crown.

This was supposed to be a classic. A game to remember. One for the ages.

Alas, the Chargers eliminated the suspense and intrigue, winning a section championship with shocking ease.

The Agoura High boys’ water polo team jumped to a commanding lead and never looked back during a 9-7 victory against Marmonte League rival Royal in the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 championship at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine last weekend.

Agoura, which finished 29-4, won its first section title since 2007 and second banner overall.

“This is surreal,” said Charger goalkeeper Chris Stane. “To win the final match after 12 months of hard work—I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Agoura led 7-0 at halftime. At that point, the outcome was never in question.

The dazed Highlanders (27-6) appeared flummoxed for three quarters. They couldn’t generate any adequate offensive opportunities— they failed to convert six power plays in the opening half— and didn’t play with urgency until it was too late.

“I think they shut down mentally,” said freshman Cory Laidig, one of many unsung Charger heroes last Saturday. “They mentally weren’t in the game.”

Royal awoke from its slumber and made a furious fourth-quarter comeback, scoring five goals in the final seven minutes.

“It was too little, too late,” said a dejected Steve Snyder, Royal’s head coach.

Chargers Jon Lai and Laidig scored two goals apiece in the opening period. David Silberberg came off the bench to notch two scores before halftime.

Laidig, who matched up defensively against Cody Moore for most of the first half, shut down the Highlander star.

“That’s huge when role players step up at the right time,” said Adam Abdulhamid of the pivotal contributions made by Laidig, Lai and Silberberg.

Silberberg didn’t expect to play much. The senior’s usually one of the last players to enter a game, head coach Dustin Litvak said.

“I didn’t expect to play as much as I did,” Silberberg said. “That first goal was really unreal. I was in disbelief.”

Abdulhamid recorded two goals while Jake Villarreal tallied one. Abdulhamid’s score with 2:50 left in the third quarter gave Agoura a 9-1 advantage.

Stane stymied Royal by blocking shots all over the cage. The senior goalie had nine saves and two steals.

“For Chris, this is the best game he’s played all year,” Litvak said.

A pressing, relentless defense made life miserable for the Highlanders. Villarreal said Agoura played inspired water polo.

“We came out on fire,” he said. “We came out on edge. We came out looking into our opponents’ eyes thinking, ‘This is our day. This is our game.’”

Litvak, a 1997 Agoura graduate, said he wasn’t concerned when Royal chipped away at the lead in the final minutes.

“I wasn’t worried at all,” Litvak said. “I knew they were going to make a run.”

Claiming a CIF title against a familiar rival was sweet.

“It’s unbelievable to win a CIF title,” he said. “It’s even sweeter to win when it’s against a quality opponent and a league rival.”

Brett Johnson, Chase Cockerill and Danny McClintick also played well for Agoura.

Other Chargers who will earn CIF champion rings are Dominick Beaudine, Zack Villarreal, EJ Ball, Jack Elder, Nico Vilches, Travis Leggett, Forrest Penrod, Christian Meissner and Dylan Pritchett.

Stane will remember walking on the pool deck in the rain before the game. He’ll recall looking at the Highlanders knowing about the battle ahead. But only one team showed up ready.

“One of the biggest things was our intensity and showing we won’t back down,” Stane said.

“We had the mentality that we would beat them before the game.”

The win was just one more step in a long season.

“The journey was intense,” Jake Villarreal said. “We worked so hard over the summer and sacrificed so much.

“My teammates and my coach—I love them all. I’ll remember this day my whole life.”

GOOD TIMES—Charger players bask in the glory of Saturday’s victory over rival Royal at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center.

GOOD TIMES—Charger players bask in the glory of Saturday’s victory over rival Royal at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center.

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