CIF BOYS WATER POLO SEMIFINALS

DIVISION II

Wednesday

No. 5 seed VILLA PARK (20-10) vs. No. 1 MATER DEI (24-5)

Site, time: William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, Irvine, 6:30 p.m.

Outlook: The defending champion Monarchs are 2-0 against the Spartans. Both matches were in September and lopsided. The Monarchs posted victories of 19-5 and 14-7. Both teams have improved since.

The Monarchs sprinted to the end of the regular season by capturing the Memorial Cup Invitational. Villa Park upset Miramonte at the North-South Challenge and later claimed the Century League title. Trinity League champion Mater Dei is led by all-around talent Alex Wherry (89 goals). The senior has 11 goals in two matches against the Spartans. Mater Dei sophomore Bret Bonanni (95 goals) is another dangerous shooter.

Villa Park is young in the field but talented. BJ Churnside (110 goals) is an all-around talent and junior Kyle Etrata (57 goals) is a clutch performer. The Spartans will need a big game from their defense and goalie Michael Wagner. But they also need to play smart on offense to prepare for the transition game. Mater Dei is a skilled defensive squad that knows how to apply pressure to spark the counterattack.

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