Foothill Rides Defense to Final

Foothill Coach Jim Brumm was more frustrated than satisfied with his team’s defense much of the season.

But Brumm was smiling Saturday as his Knights played solid defense to defeat North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, 10-3, at Foothill and advance to the Southern Section Division I boys’ water polo final.

“It seemed I was pulling my hair out most of the season when it came to this team,” Brumm said. “But they played very good defense and I have to give them credit. When it came to the big game, they came through.”

The Knights played with much more finesse and quickness, often leaving the Wolverines confused.

Foothill set the tone with its first two scoring plays in the first quarter. Two minutes into the first quarter, Eitan Goldstein stole the ball and raced down the pool to score. Three minutes later, senior Robby Arroyo stole the ball and scored the game’s second goal.

Arroyo, who has been ill most of the season and was forced to miss some early games, looked in perfect health. The All-American two-meter man had three goals and three steals.

“I feel great. We played a great defensive game,” Arroyo said. “We thought this game would either go into overtime or be a one-goal game.”

Foothill’s offense was equally impressive, needing only 13 shots on goal.

Senior Matt McPherson scored three goals and sophomore Patrick Logan finished with two. Nick Ellis had seven saves. The Wolverines finish 22-5.

Foothill (25-4) will face Long Beach Wilson, the defending Division I champion, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the final at Belmont Plaza Pool. Foothill, which advanced to its third consecutive Division I final, is the only team to beat Wilson this season.

In the other Division I semifinal:

Long Beach Wilson 17, Capistrano Valley 4--Dennis Connolly had two goals in Capistrano Valley’s loss to the top-ranked Bruins.

Scott Miller, Tony Azevedo and Ryan Brown each scored four goals for Wilson, which will be seeking its third Division I title in the last four years.