Foothill Again Gets Past Newport Harbor in Water Polo

Foothill Coach Jim Brumm had no doubt that Friday’s water polo game between his second-ranked Knights and No. 3 Newport Harbor would be close. After all, both teams have met twice before this season with Foothill winning by the narrowness of margins.

And as expected, the game at Newport Harbor was close. And again, Foothill prevailed, beating the Sailors, 6-4, in a nonleague game.

The lead changed hands through the first three quarters, neither team taking control of the game.

Newport Harbor goalkeeper Jon Pharris almost made the difference for the Sailors, making 16 saves. But with the Knights (14-4) taking almost 50% more shots than Newport Harbor (12-4), even the best goalkeeper can stop only so many shots.

Foothill’s Todd Gray tied the score, 4-4, at the end of the third quarter after making a four-meter shot at the buzzer. Two-meter man Robby Arroyo scored the game-winning goal two minutes into the fourth quarter to give Foothill a 5-4 lead. Eitan Goldstein scored the game’s final goal.

Freshman Blake Seymour and seniors Nick Pirro and Matt McPherson scored Foothill’s other goals. Nick Ellis ended the game with eight saves for the Knights (14-4). Newport Harbor is 12-4.