Peninsula Is No Match for Mira Costa

The Peninsula High water polo team needed a win against Mira Costa on Thursday to have any chance of catching the Ocean League-leading Mustangs.

But the Panthers were not up to the task, losing, 14-10, at Miraleste Intermediate.

Peninsula’s chances were diminished from the start because team leader Doug Keese was suspended for the game. Keese was involved in a fight during a game last week against El Segundo.

The victory nearly clinched the Ocean League title for Mira Costa (17-6, 9-0 in conference), which has a two-game lead over Peninsula (17-6, 7-2) with three to play.

“These are the two best teams in the South Bay,” Mira Costa Coach Mike Nollan said. “The key for us was that we had everybody get in the game.”

Six players scored for Mira Costa, with Dan Stephenson leading the way with five goals, and Sean Nollan, Paul Barr and Hiyk Khroyan each tallying two.

Mira Costa led, 7-5, entering the third quarter and increased its lead to 11-7 entering the fourth.

“I think (the third quarter) is where we won the game,” Nollan said. “Their goalie had been playing the corners earlier so we started to use cross passes and those worked well.”

Despite giving up 14 goals, Peninsula goalie Adam Turner kept the Panthers in the game with 15 saves.

Mira Costa’s three remaining league games include Santa Monica and El Segundo, two teams Nollan is apprehensive about playing.

“That’s not going to be easy,” he said. “We have to play real well to win those games, but we’d have to lose all three to be in danger of losing the title.”