Corona del Mar Squeezes By Mission Viejo in Overtime

Greg Strelzow scored in overtime to give Corona del Mar an 8-7 victory over Mission Viejo in a first-round Southern Section Division I water polo playoff game Thursday at Trabuco Hills High.

Down 6-2 midway through the second quarter, Mission Viejo (14-14) scored five consecutive goals, taking a 7-6 lead on a goal by Bryan Casserly with 3 minutes 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Corona del Mar (11-12) scored its only goal of the second half when Chris Hokanson tied the score with 1:43 left in regulation.

Midway through the first overtime period, Corona del Mar goalkeeper Billy Messenger passed to Strelzow on a breakaway. With only goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez to beat, Strelzow put it away.

Chris Esposito had three goals and Messenger had 20 saves for the Sea Kings, who will host top-seeded Long Beach Wilson in the second round Tuesday. Wes Anderson had three goals and Gonzalez had 14 saves for the Diablos.