JSerra ends Newport Harbor’s unbeaten run, wins third consecutive Southern California Division 1 regional boys water polo crown

JSerra High boasts several of the most significant streaks in California boys water polo history.

In order for the Lions to extend another remarkable run Saturday, they had to avoid becoming the final chapter in the most noteworthy season ever achieved by the Newport Harbor program.

Despite losing three times to the Sailors, including a heartbreaking one-goal setback Nov. 16 in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final, JSerra prevented Newport Harbor from completing its schedule with an unblemished record by producing an 11-9 victory in the Southern California Division 1 regional final at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Connor Colman had six goals, including three in the second quarter, and JSerra held the Sailors scoreless for more than eight minutes in the second half to capture a third consecutive regional title, becoming the only Southern California boys water polo team to achieve the feat in any division.

JSerra (29-4) also received eight saves from Jonas Ransford, including five in the third quarter when Newport Harbor was held scoreless, allowing the Lions to build a 9-5 advantage.

The Sailors (33-1), who received four goals from Kai Kaneko along with three goals and two assists by James Mulvey, were also attempting to capture a third Division 1 regional crown, including victories in 2018 and 2021.

James Mulvey of Newport Harbor | Photo courtesy of Newport Harbor

But after rallying from a three-goal halftime deficit to earn an 11-10 victory in the Southern Section Open Division final in the same Mt. SAC pool a week earlier, Newport Harbor couldn’t produce similar second-half heroics Saturday in the fourth matchup involving the rivals this season.

JSerra led 6-5 at halftime after Tyler Anderson scored with a minute remaining in the second quarter.

Following a pair of Taylor Bell goals in the opening quarter for the Lions, Colman scored three times in the second to help JSerra build a 5-3 advantage.

Anderson added two more goals in the third, including one with six seconds left, and Colman added another score to help JSerra establish a four-goal lead entering the final quarter.

Colman contributed a pair of goals early in the fourth, including his final score with 3:14 remaining to give the Lions their biggest lead at 11-6, before a late Newport Harbor comeback fell short.

Connor Colman of JSerra | Photo courtesy of Newport Harbor

The Sailors have appeared in all seven Division 1 regional finals since the event was added to the schedule in 2017, but fell to 2-5 all-time in championship matches, including an 11-8 loss to JSerra in 2022 and a 14-10 setback last year that allowed the Lions to complete a 30-0 season.

Newport Harbor became the first boys water polo program in Southern Section history to open the season with 33 consecutive victories, surpassing the 2004 Villa Park program that began 32-0 before losing to Los Alamitos in the Division 2 final.

The Sailors produced a 14-6 victory to capture the South Coast Tournament title Sept. 14 at Corona del Mar High – snapping JSerra’s 40-match winning streak – and added a 16-7 triumph against the Lions to win the North vs. South Challenge crown Oct. 19 at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton.

Newport Harbor was seeking its first perfect season since producing a 27-0 record in 1978, and the third unbeaten schedule in program history, in addition to a 24-0 mark in 1975.

But the Lions became the first boys program with a trio of Division 1 regional titles, with Palisades the only other Southern California school to win three championships in event history, all in Division 3.

Sacred Heart Prep is the only Northern California boys water polo program to win four regional crowns, extending its championship streak Saturday with a 9-7 victory against Concord De La Salle.

Mira Costa 12, Carlsbad 9

The Mustangs withstood five goals from junior Ryan Fresca, but Carlsbad couldn’t overcome a five-goal deficit in the third quarter in its first appearance in the Division 2 regional final in program history at Mt. SAC.

Mira Costa (22-12) scored four of the first five goals and built a 6-3 halftime advantage in its regional finals debut.

Following an 11-10 setback Nov. 16 to Westlake in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final, Mira Costa produced a dominant run to the regional crown, including a 19-6 victory Tuesday against La Costa Canyon, followed by a 13-6 triumph in Thursday’s semifinals against Brea-Olinda.

Xander Trevitt scored twice for Carlsbad (24-9), which rallied from a 10-5 hole with three unanswered goals – including two by Fresca – to open the fourth.

The Lancers were attempting to become the third consecutive CIF-San Diego Section program to win the Division 2 regional title, following Cathedral Catholic in 2022 and La Jolla last season.

South Pasadena 12, Cleveland 6

The Tigers (21-11) knocked off their third consecutive L.A. City Section opponent to win their first Division 3 regional title at Mt. SAC.

South Pasadena prevailed 16-13 in the regional opener Tuesday against Granada Hills, followed by a 10-5 win Thursday in the semifinals against Palisades.

The Tigers won their final eight matches, including a 10-9 victory Nov. 16 against Cate to capture the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 championship.

Cleveland (19-10), which was also making its debut in a regional final, had a 12-match winning streak halted. The Cavaliers captured the L.A. City Section Open Division crown with a 15-4 victory Nov. 13 against Palisades, snapping a run of 11 consecutive section championships for the Dolphins.

Cleveland ended a streak of 43 straight L.A. City Section playoff victories by Palisades since the Cavaliers achieved a 14-3 quarterfinal win in 2011 against the Dolphins. Cleveland also won the L.A. City Section Division 1 title last year