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IRVINE — Irvine’s boys water polo team united Wednesday to beat a former league rival and a former coach.
Seniors Sean Dory and Xavier Mao each scored three goals as the Vaqueros rallied to defeat Beckman and former Irvine coach Tijmen Egtberts 11-8 in a nonleague match at Woollett Aquatics Center.
Irvine (2-2) excelled shooting from the perimeter as its former Pacific Coast League rival focused on dropping extra coverage at center to guard UCLA commit Sam Bowman.
Beckman (1-1) limited Bowman to one counterattack goal but Dory, Mao and their teammates took advantage of their scoring chances.
Five different players scored one goal apiece for Irvine’s senior-laden team.
“We knew Beckman had a game plan for Sam so we tried to open (things) up (for) people like Sean and Zach (Believau),” Irvine coach Jose Cordero said. “When Sam draws that attention, it opens up those players and his teammates.”
Cordero also praised Believau’s defense on standout Beckman freshman Minjun Kim.
Senior goalie Maddox Kreil added six saves for Irvine.
Beckman (1-1) led 3-1 late in the first period before Irvine scored five unanswered goals to open the 6-3 advantage early in the third. The Vaqueros never trailed again.
“It’s early and we’re young,” said Egtberts, who didn’t start a senior. “It’s all about the effort. … This is a lesson that needed to be had.”
Juniors Parsa Tamadon and Sean Parshin each scored three goals to pace Beckman.
The Patriots, who claimed the Pacific Coast League title last season, are now part of the South Coast League.
Beckman is among the teams playing in the Long Beach Poly tournament this weekend.
