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The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Wilson got a lot out of its CIF Southern Section Division 1 boys’ water polo opener on Thursday at Belmont Outdoor Pool.
The Bruins got to feel what it’s like to take a big lead in a playoff game, lose that momentum, regain their rhythm and then put the game away with a few great individual performances in a 12-6 victory over visiting Sage Hill.
“That game was good for us,” Wilson coach Zac Polmanteer said. “In the third quarter there was a real moment of discomfort after the 4-0 run by Sage Hill. We need to be okay with being uncomfortable.”
Wilson (18-10) will travel to face Huntington Beach in the second round on Wednesday.
“We just came out firing, everyone was looking forward to this game,” Keegan Abing said. “We’re out here looking to kill.”
Abing scored a team-high three goals in the first half and also dished out a pair of assists. Elijah Vince and Samson Casem both scored twice while goalkeeper Christian Marov-Perez made 11 saves.
Sage Hill (20-8) got a hat trick from Dylan Rosmann while Ethan Guan chipped in a pair of goals. Lightning goalkeeper Noah Rothbard made eight saves.
Wilson was dominant in the first quarter while taking a 4-1 lead.
“I think we were loose,” Polmanteer said. “We told the guys we want the tempo to be really high, get guys off the bench and keep their team really tired. Kudos to those guys who are 11 top 20 down the bench on a really big roster. The bench powered us home.”
A potent counter attack paid off for Wilson and Evan Morisky when he scored a loud goal to put his team up 9-2 at halftime.
Sage Hill mounted its comeback after the break as Rosmann scored all three of his goals in the third quarter. The Lightning pulled to within three goals, but Casem scored for Wilson with 15 seconds left in the quarter to make it 10-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Marov-Perez stepped up and made a huge 5-meter penalty save. The resulting counter attack finished with a quick goal from Gavin Simon.
“For us to have the discipline and counter out with aggression was huge,” Polmanteer said. “That’s a two-goal swing.”
“They had a lot of momentum in the second half and I knew I had to wake up and help my team get back into it,” Marov-Perez said. “Also, the (Sage Hill) crowd was getting on my nerves so I had to shut them up real quick. They were just screaming, it was too loud. I got a headache.”
After a nice steal from Vaughn Baker, Casem scored on the other end.
“What started that was Christian,” Casem said of taking back the momentum. “He had an amazing game. That just let us snowball and roll back into our rhythm.”
The Casem goal sort of eased the pressure, and he celebrated while looking at the Wilson bench to make sure the whole team felt that.
“Ever since I was a little kid I’ve been emotional and passionate about everything I do,” Casem said. “If it’s playing Wi with my brother or just a classroom game, I’m always passionate.”
Wilson was able to see the game out by controlling possessions and the clock.
“In the second half we played with patience and used the clock and that’s something we can use going forward,” Abing said.
“We need to understand that playoff games are weird,” Polmanteer added. “Some guys play great, some guys don’t play great, and we have to live with that uncertainty and know that if the ball swings one way, it’s gonna swing to the other end eventually.”
The Bruins know they can’t leave any lesson unlearned in the Division 1 playoffs.
“We’re very motivated, and it depends on us,” Marov-Perez said. “(We can’t) slow down. (We) have to use the momentum, ride it, and do whatever it takes to win.”
