Richardson scores eight as Coronado water polo goes 2-2 at AFC

Russell Richardson scored eight goals across two wins as Coronado High boys' water polo went 2-2 at the Americas Finest City Tournament.

The Islanders picked up a pair of 11-10 victories at the Sept. 19-21 tournament, including a comeback in which Coronado trailed in the final quarter before Richardson buried the game-winner with 11 seconds left. Coronado also lost to Bonita and dropped a second game at the tournament, according to the Coronado Eagle & Journal.

Richardson had three goals in the comeback win and five in the second victory. Coach David Throop told the Eagle & Journal that the opener stood out above everything else.

"The highlight was our first game of the tournament: our resiliency in coming from behind in the final quarter to win with 11 seconds remaining," Throop said.

Throop said Richardson provides flexibility on both ends of the pool, creating mismatches on offense and giving the Islanders a defensive matchup option. He added that Richardson is raising the preparation standard for the rest of the roster.

Carter Mondzelewski and sophomore Bryson Broach each scored three goals in the loss to Bonita. Throop said Broach is growing into a player who can fill multiple positions and predicted he will become a driving force alongside fellow sophomore Gavin Grube.

The tournament was Coronado's second straight weekend of multi-game play. Throop said the team ran out of gas in the final game after the heavy schedule but pointed to improved defensive positioning and ball movement as positives.

Throop has emphasized close-game experience throughout the early season. After the Islanders went 3-2 at an Orange County tournament Sept. 11-12, he told the Eagle & Journal on Sept. 17 that tight games carry more lessons than lopsided results.

Coronado stood at 6-8 overall and 0-0 in City-Western League play as of Sept. 26, per MaxPreps. The Islanders host Cathedral Catholic in a league game on Wednesday, Sept. 30, then face Patrick Henry in a non-league game on Friday, Oct. 2, before traveling to La Jolla for a league matchup on Wednesday, Oct. 7.