Royal Stays Afloat, Wins in Overtime, 9-8

LA CRESCENTA —  For starters, this game was nothing like last year’s laugher.

In the end, the result was the same.

Sean Carnahan of Royal High scored the winning goal from about eight meters in sudden-death overtime for a dramatic 9-8 victory over Crescenta Valley on Thursday in a nonleague game.

Royal (19-3), which never led until the final goal, encountered a different Crescenta Valley team and atmosphere than a year ago when the Highlanders scored nine of the first 10 goals en route to a 13-5 rout.

“They were certainly ready for us [Thursday],” said Coach Steve Snyder, whose Highlanders are top-ranked in Southern Section Division IV. “But it has been this way all year for us. We’re not sneaking up on anyone.”

A year ago, Royal was playing inspired water polo for the respect it wasn’t getting from media polls and Crescenta Valley simply got caught in the cross-fire.

On Thursday, the Highlanders were playing to maintain that respect and their No. 2 regional ranking by The Times.

Crescenta Valley (17-4), ranked No. 4 by The Times and No. 5 in Division III, set the pace throughout, scoring on three of five man-up opportunities and a tenacious defense that forced 28 turnovers.

“Give a lot of credit to their defense,” Snyder said. “They’re no slouches at all. They didn’t let up.”

Travis Schmitt pestered Royal throughout and finished with nine steals.

“That’s an average game for him,” Crescenta Valley Coach Jan Sakonju said. “I think he is one of the best defensive players in the division.”

Crescenta Valley and Royal, division finalists last year, played like a title was on the line--three weeks before playoffs.

Goalie play was inspired and exceptional. Mike Hoy of Crescenta Valley finished with 14 saves, Tom Onyshko of Royal had 12.

Trailing, 7-5, Carnahan scored twice in the final 5:13 of regulation to tie it.

After a scoreless three-minute overtime, Crescenta Valley struck first in the second overtime when Steve Han lofted a soft, short toss into left corner of the goal with 1:41 remaining.

Royal answered on Justin McClure’s short-range goal less than a minute later to tie it for the fifth time. In the final 10 seconds, Crescenta Valley missed once and Royal twice.

With sudden death taking effect in the third overtime, Royal turned the ball over on its first two possessions before Carnahan’s shot hit the left goalpost.

But Carnahan, who was three of 11, didn’t miss on his next try, firing a bounce shot from eight meters into the left side of the goal.

David Mulcahey, Crescenta Valley’s leading scorer, scored all three of his goals in the first half, but was shut out on three shots thereafter.

Royal came out firing and never let up, but shot a dismal nine of 41. Romiro Saldain scored three goals and Tyler Templeton added two.