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Newport Harbor’s storied boys water polo program added a new championship to its collection on Saturday.
The 14-time CIF Southern Section champion won the North-South Challenge for the first time with a 16-7 triumph against JSerra in the final at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton.
Newport Harbor (27-0), ranked No. 1 in Orange County and the Open Division by OCVarsity, had lost in the finals of the prestigious event the past two season to the No. 2 Lions (21-3).
In the second period, the Sailors began an 11-0 run that erased a 4-3 deficit and opened a 14-4 lead late in the third period.
Dash D’Ambrosia helped spark the outburst with a steal and goal on a shot from beyond half-tank. The junior attacker’s goal snapped a 4-4 tie.
Lucca Van Der Woude and Kai Kaneko added goals before halftime as Newport Harbor led 7-4.
The Sailors then netted the first seven goals of the third period before JSerra’s Brian Barnuevo scored from the perimeter to stop the surge.
Newport Harbor converted seven of its first nine chances with the extra attacker and received seven saves from USC committed goalie Luke Harris.
The Sailors have posted two undefeated seasons: 1975 and 1978.
Earlier this fall, they won the South Coast and Elite 8 tournaments.
