The Muir waterpolo team celebrate with the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship plaque in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Muir defeated Hemet for the title. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
IRVINE — Luc Garwood took a quick glance up at the clock and fired away.
Garwood’s shot at the buzzer ricocheted off the goalie’s hand and trickled into the cage, lifting Muir to the 17-16 victory in a Division 6 final that tied a record for the most goals scored in a CIF Southern Section championship.
Muir’s Luc Garwood reacts after scoring a goal against Hemet in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Luc Garwood celebrates with teammates after winning the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship against Hemet in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The Muir waterpolo team celebrate with their CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship plaque in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Muir defeated Hemet for the title. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Jackson Ross, Luc Garwood, and Warren Mandigo, from left, celebrate winning the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship against Hemet in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s goalie Gilbert Roberts lets a shot get by for a Hemet goal in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Hemet’s Joshua Dunn reacts after scoring a goal against Muir in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The Muir waterpolo team celebrate with the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship plaque in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Muir defeated Hemet for the title. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Hemet’s goalie Adam Formica stretches but can’t block a goal by Muir in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Brian Sanchez takes a shot against Hemet in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Jenner Bondsmith, left, bumps Hemet’s Carter Burk, right, as Burk tries to get into position for a shot in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Jackson Ross, right, keeps Hemet’s Carter Burk from taking a shot in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Gilbert Roberts, left, celebrates with teammates after winning the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship against Hemet in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Hemet’s Joshua Dunn, right, takes a shot on goal past Muir’s Luc Garwood (7) in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Brian Sanchez fires a shot against Hemet in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s William Ross looks to pass the ball during the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship against Hemet in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Muir’s Brian Sanchez celebrates his goal against Hemet in the CIF-SS Division 6 waterpolo championship in Irvine on Saturday, November 12, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
“I’m not going to lie. I was a little nervous,” said Garwood, a freshman who pocketed four goals Saturday afternoon at the Woollett Aquatics Center. “When I got it on my left hand, I just took the shot. I’m glad that it went in.”
Muir (19-11) rallied several times to claim the program’s first section title.
“I think that we just wanted it a little bit more,” Muir coach Micol Issa said. “We’ve been down before, so we never felt we were ever out of the match.”
The match was played at a breakneck pace, with the teams combining for 12 goals in the first period. Not surprising, it came down to the final play.
Hemet (20-7) had an opportunity to take the lead down the stretch, but Muir goalie Gilbert Roberts stopped a shot with about 10 seconds left on the clock. Roberts made a quick outlet pass, and the ball eventually made its way over to Garwood, who made sure to get the ball onto his left hand.
“He’s always ready. I’m not surprised to see him take the shot,” Issa said.
Muir and Hemet cruised through the bracket, with both teams averaging more than 20 goals per match in the postseason.
Joshua Dunn scored on Hemet’s first possession, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Hemet took a 4-1 lead, but Muir rallied and tied the score at 6 at the end of the first period.
Hemet scored twice to tie the score in the fourth period.
Muir’s Thor Samuel and Dunn were forces at the 2-meter position for their respective squads.
Samuel finished with a match-high eight goals to lead the Mustangs. Dunn scored six times, but only once in the final 13 minutes.
Brian Sanchez also scored four goals for Muir.
Carter Burk had three goals for Hemet, while Reeves Tyler and Mark Fredricksen each scored twice for the Bulldogs.
