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NEWPORT BEACH — Caruso Polenzani and Sean Anderson stretched their arms high out of the water at the top of the perimeter as Newport Harbor’s boys water polo team defended a 7-on-6 advantage by Cathedral Catholic in the closing seconds of the South Coast Tournament semifinals on Saturday.
The duo forced a shot toward the middle of the Sailors’ defense and into the chest of 2-meter guard Owen Marks.
Newport Harbor’s defensive stop sealed a dramatic 16-15 victory that ignited a wild celebration not usually seen early in the season.
But it was no ordinary victory for the host Sailors.
And it was no ordinary day for the Orange County powerhouse.
Newport Harbor later defeated Miramonte of Orinda 11-10 in the finals on a perimeter strike by Anderson on the first possession of sudden-death overtime.
The Sailors celebrated a third consecutive South Coast Tournament title and ended Miramonte’s bid to be the first Northern California champion since the tournament began in 1977.
Anderson forced overtime and tied the score 8-8 with a goal from the wing with three seconds left in regulation.
In sudden-death overtime, Cooper Kelly won the sprint that set the stage for Anderson, who scored all four of his goals starting in the fourth period.
Newport Harbor’s dramatic title run as the No. 4 seed began against No. 1 Cathedral Catholic. The Sailors produced a win soaked with significance.
👀Newport Harbor upsets top-seeded Cathedral Catholic 16-15 in the semis of South Coast Tournament and is fired up! Great sign for a young team on multiple levels @NH_SailorSports 🤽♂️ pic.twitter.com/cBzZRYVhPI
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 19, 2026
The Sailors avenged a 12-10 loss against Cathedral Catholic in late August at Newport Harbor High.
Polenzani led the Sailors (8-1) by exploding for 10 goals, including the winner on the extra man with 21 seconds left in the fourth period.
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The junior snapped a 15-15 tie by scoring off an assist from left-hander Davis Kipp, who earned the exclusion in transition following a save goalie Lian Kim.
If the names of Newport Harbor’s contributors sound new, they should. The two-time defending CIF-SS Open Division champion graduated the starting core from its squad last season and has reloaded with several young players.
In the field, the Sailors started four juniors, one sophomore and a freshman.
Kim is the team’s lone senior.
The first-year starter played a pivotal role against the Dons with eight saves, including a few that sparked goals at the other end of the pool.
Despite their youth, Newport Harbor’s players displayed impressive composure in a riveting semifinal that produced three lead changes and 10 ties.
One of the Sailors’ best responses came in the second period after Cathedral Catholic scored the first three goals to open an 8-5 lead.
After a timeout by Newport Harbor coach Ross Sinclair with 5:35 left in the quarter, the Sailors netted three unanswered goals to tie the score.
Anderson, a junior, netted the first goal and Polenzani scored the next two.
Newport Harbor finished 7 for 9 with the extra attacker and held Cathedral Catholic (7-1) to a 3 for 8 effort.
Kim made three of his saves against the Dons’ power play. He blocked a shot on the counterattack late in the third that kept the score deadlocked 12-12. Moments later, Polenzani scored but the duel stretched deep into the fourth period.
End 3: Newport 14, Cathedral 12 pic.twitter.com/zovrKlfpwd
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 19, 2026
Braylen Axline scored six goals to pace the Dons.
The Newport Harbor-Cathedral Catholic rivalry heated up last season as the schools played six times. The Sailors went 5-1.
Over the summer, a club powered by Cathedral Catholic players defeated Newport Beach in the 18-and-under final at Junior Olympics.
“I’m sure we’ll see them a couple more times,” Cathedral Catholic coach Tommy Corcoran said of Newport Harbor.
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