Harvard-Westlake Flops in Preview

Some say it was a preview of the Southern Section Division I water polo final, so Harvard-Westlake and Long Beach Wilson highs played Saturday night at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach, site of this season’s division final.

But if Wilson’s 10-2 victory is an indication, the Wolverines will be playing for second place.

Tony Azevedo scored four goals for Wilson (14-0), ranked No. 1 in Division I, and the Bruins’ defense dominated the No. 4-ranked Wolverines.

Bill Strickland had both goals for Harvard-Westlake, which was outshot, 27-16.

After a scoreless first period, Azevedo struck three times in the second and Wilson took a 4-1 halftime lead.

“That first quarter was the best quarter we’ve played since 1992,” Wolverine Coach Rich Corso said.

As for the Wolverines’ chances of winning a division title, Corso remains optimistic, despite his team’s converting only one of six power-play opportunities.

“We only have to beat them once,” he said.