Water Polo Takes Second at California Tourney

Brunswick finished in second place at the 32-team America’s Finest City Tournament in San Diego on Saturday. The Bruins, in their second appearance in California, went 4-1 in the tourney, eventually falling in the title game against Cathedral Catholic, 13-10.

Brunswick goalie Hayden Collins earned most-valuable goalie for the tourney.

 

In the championship game, the Bruins fell behind by an early 3-0 margin, but rallied to close the game to 4-3 after one quarter. Kyle Yelensky add two goals in the frame, as JP Ohl netted the other marker.

 

The Dons opened the second quarter with two goals to extend their lead to 6-3 by the 5:00 mark. The teams alternated goals twice, before Jake Charney capped the first-half scoring with a goal in the final seconds, as Brunswick trailed 8-6 at the intermission.

 

Cathedral Catholic used another two-goal spurt to push its advantage to 10-6 in the third quarter, before the Bruins capped the low-scoring frame with a goal.

 

Leading 10-7 in the fourth quarter, the Dons gained some breathing room with three-straight goals to build a 13-7 lead by the 4:18 mark.

 

The Bruins rallied with the final three goals of the contest, as Gavin Moore bookended a pair of helpers around a solo marker for the 13-10 championship final.

 

Brunswick 3 3 1 3 – 10

Cathedral 4 4 2 3 – 13

 

Kyle Yelensky (4), JP Ohl (2), Gavin Malloy (2), Ivey Gerhring (1), Jake Charney (1)

Hayden Collins (7), Ryan Miele (1)

 

Brunswick advanced to the title round after defeating Steele Canyon in the semifinals, 10-9.

 

Brunswick netted the opening goal, with a pass from Molloy to Yelensky for the marker. Following a Steele Canyon tally, Charney capped the first frame on a tally with 13 seconds remaining. Collins made two stops in the frame, including a late save to preserve the Brunswick lead.

 

Brunswick used a 3-1 run in the second quarter to take a 5-2 lead at the break. Charney set up Molloy on the first of Molloy’s game-high five goals. Charney notched a goal moments later, as Steele Canyon closed the gap to 4-2 with a goal on the next possession of the game. Another Molloy tally capped the first half scoring, as Brunswick took its 5-2 lead into the break.

 

Steele Canyon scored the first two goals of the third quarter, slicing the Brunswick lead to 5-4 with 2:30 left. Molloy answered for Brunswick, finishing off an assist from Gavin West for a 6-4 lead. After Steele Canyon responded with a goal, Molloy capped the scoring with a marker in the final minute, boosting the Brunswick lead back to two goals, 7-5.

 

In the fourth quarter, Molloy netted his fifth goal moments into the frame, as West assisted Yelensky another tally, giving the Bruins a 9-5 lead. Yelensky added another goal following a Steele Canyon score, as Brunswick held a 10-6 advantage. Three late goals by Steele Canyon closed the gap, but the Bruins advances to the title game with the 10-9 win.

 

Bruins 2 3 2 3 – 10

Steele 1 1 3 4 – 9

 

Gavin Molloy (5), Kyle Yelensky (3), Jake Charney (2)

Hayden Collins (8)

 

 

After beating Junipero Serra to open the tournament,19-3, the Brunswick faced Mira Costa, last year’s runner’s up in the tourney, in the second round.

 

 

Leading 3-2 in the second quarter, Mira Costa capitalized on a man-up situation with a goal to give the Californians a two-goal lead. Brunswick outscored Mira Costa, 3-2, to close-out the first half, as the two teams were tied at the intermission, 5-5.

 

After an opening goal by Mira Costa in the third quarter, Brunswick answered on an Ohl goal set-up by Charney. Mira Costa regained the lead on a goal, as Molloy answered with a tying tally to cap the third quarter.

 

In the 7-7 contest, Brunswick scored four unanswered goals. Gavin West opened the run with a tally, as Ohl finished off an assist from Danny Taylor for a 9-7 lead. West followed with another goal and assisted on the final goal by Yelensky for an 11-7 advantage. Mira Costa scored the final goal, as the Bruins advanced in the tournament.

 

Brunswick 2 3 2 4 – 11

Mira Costa 3 2 2 1 – 8

 

Kyle Yelensky (3) Gavin Molloy (3) JP Ohl (3) Gavin West (2)

Hayden Collins (8)

 

Brunswick          10 3 4 2 – 19

Junipero Serra   1 1 1 0 – 3

 

Ivey Gehring (3) JP Ohl (3) Jake Charney (3) Kyle Yelensky (3) Danny Taylor (2) Gavin Molloy (2) Gavin West (2) Jack Moore (1)