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Palmer MacBeth scored seven goals and fellow attacker Micah Wishart added four to lead San Clemente’s boys water polo team past Mira Costa 15-8 in the first round of the South Coast Tournament at Corona del Mar High on Thursday.
The Tritons (5-1) led 8-6 at halftime and netted the first three goals of the second half to seize control against Mira Costa (4-3).
MacBeth, a junior, posted the first two goals of the third period, including one on the counterattack off a backcourt turnover.
The Tritons also had a scoring flurry in the first half. Goalie Pedro Mattiazo closed the first quarter with a goal on a length-of-the-pool shot, just moments after a period strike by MacBeth. Mira Costa committed a quick turnover to create the chance for Mattiazo.
San Clemente led 6-3 after the first period.
The Tritons later fell to top-seeded Newport Harbor 15-3 in the second round but still cracked the top-16 of the challenging 32-team tournament.
“I think we’re going to be a good team (this season),” MacBeth said. “We have a lot of potential. We have numbers. We got a lot to offer people. I’m pretty stoked.”
San Clemente, ranked seventh in Orange County, plays Loyola in the consolation round at Corona del Mar on Friday.
In the quarterfinals Friday, No. 1-ranked Newport Harbor plays Back Bay rival Corona del Mar at 6 p.m. It will be the teams’ first meeting this fall.
In another first round match:
Foothill 10, Santa Margarita 9 (OT): Jacob Polunin scored in overtime to lift the Knights past the Eagles at Foothill.
The Knights later lost to Harvard-Westlake 18-9 in the second round but like San Clemente, still cracked the top-16 in the tournament. Foothill plays host to Sacred Heart Prep on Friday.
JSerra and Mater Dei also advanced to Friday’s quarterfinals.
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