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Portola’s boys water polo team has its own standout named Ryder, who just like the one who plays for JSerra and the U.S. national team, can be tough to slow down.
Junior Ryder Tonkovich scored three of his nine goals in the pivotal third period as the Bulldogs raced past Crean Lutheran 16-11 in a CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinal match dripping with sub-plots Saturday night at Portola High.
The swift, 6-foot attacker scored consecutive counterattack goals in the third to cap Portola’s 4-1 period, including one in spectacular fashion. Tonkovich sprinted to narrowly beat the opposing goalie to a long outlet pass, turned and flipped a shot into the open net while submerged between two defenders.
Tonkovich popped up to see his goal give Portola an 11-6 lead and Crean Lutheran call timeout.
“(There’s) no stopping him,” Portola coach Kate Avery said of Tonkovich, the Bulldogs’ version of Ryder Dodd.
Tonkovich received plenty of support. Senior Noam Garibi netted four goals, including one in the second period off a no-look shot on the power-play. Junior center Luke Porter added two goals while junior goalie Asher Wettstein blocked a late penalty shot.
Portola (24-6) advanced to Wednesday’s semifinal at top-seeded San Marcos by winning a clash against a familiar foe. The Bulldogs and Crean Lutheran (18-13) each feature several players with ties to the North Irvine Club.
Saints coach Ed Carrera heads the club, and is a former assistant coach at Portola.
“It was a rivalry game for us,” said Tonkovich, a former North Irvine player now with Orange County Water Polo Club. “(The club connections) definitely made it more fun to play because I knew all of them. They’re all my friends.”
Portola’s main focus is now reaching its second straight section final. The Bulldogs finished as the Division 3 runner-up last season to Damien.
“I think this is finally going to be the year we go all the way,” Tonkovich said. “We just have to keep doing what we’re doing: not let up and keep up the high energy.”
Sophomore Julian Amakasu scored four goals to lead Empire League champion Crean Lutheran, which trailed 7-5 at halftime. Freshman Connor McTaggart added two goals.
The Saints featured only one senior — Jonathan DiPinto — in their first season in Division 2. Last fall, they lost in the Division 4 quarterfinals. In 2021, they won Division 6 title.
“We’ll be back,” Carrera said.
In Division 1:
Foothill 14, Long Beach Wilson 6: William Griswold scored six goals and added three assists to help lead the Knights, who will play host to Laguna Beach in the semifinals Wednesday. Foothill was the runner-up to Orange Lutheran last season.
Laguna Beach 16, Damien 12: Diego Audebert and Cade Adertson scored early goals to help spark the No. 2 seeded Breakers at Sage Hill.
Top-seeded Huntington Beach defeated La Serna 15-7 in another Division 1quarterfinal. The Oilers will play at Mira Costa in the semifinals Wednesday.
In other results, Canyon (Division 3), Woodbridge (Division 4) and Anaheim (Division 6) also reached the semifinals.
