Harvard Falls in Water Polo Quarterfinal

Harvard-Westlake High let a one-point halftime lead slip away and San Clemente rallied to win, 7-5, Tuesday in a Southern Section Division I water polo quarterfinal at Saddleback College.

“They are a very good team,” San Clemente Coach Steve Yancey said of Harvard-Westlake. “We weren’t ready for all the yelling and all the hoopla. It was a very physical game.”

Harvard-Westlake (25-3) jumped ahead, 2-0, early in the first quarter on goals by Albert Won and Ryan Flynn.

After falling behind, 3-2, Harvard-Westlake regained the lead when Riche Won and Ronald Scott each scored in the final two minutes of the half.

San Clemente took the lead for good in the third quarter on goals by Andy and Sam Bailey.

The Tritons stretched their lead to 7-4 midway through the final quarter, but Won’s penalty shot with 2:34 to play pulled Harvard to within two.

Several last-minute flurries by the Wolverines failed, including a shot at an open goal with less than a minute remaining.

“We knew we had to keep them under eight goals,” Yancey said. “After the first quarter we settled down and came through as a team.”

Goalie Peter Kiefer had six saves for Harvard.