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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO -- JSerra's boys water polo team issued its first response Wednesday to missing the final at the Elite 8 tournament.
The Lions showcased their center attack and teamwork on the power play for a 14-9 victory against visiting Mater Dei in the Trinity League.
Centers Tyler Anderson and Colt Bradley combined to draw nine exclusions in the first three periods as JSerra (16-2, 3-0) dominated at 2 meters. The reigning CIF-SS Open Division and CIF State Division I champion converted 9 of 10 chances with the extra player in an impressive display of chemistry.
The Lions, ranked No. 2 to undefeated Newport Harbor in Orange County, led No. 4 Mater Dei 14-4 going into the fourth period and cruised to take sole possession of first place in league on Senior Night.
It was the Lions' first match since they placed third at the Elite 8 tournament, their lowest placement in a regular-season tournament since the North-South Challenge in 2021.
"(Today is) as much of a bounce-back as it really can be," said JSerra senior attacker Taylor Bell, who finished with three goals. "(The Elite 8) is one of three big tournaments. That, North-South and CIF. ... We're hoping to come back (at the North-South Challenge) because really when you start playing North-South, it kind of solidifies how you're going to play at CIF a little bit."
Anderson, a 6-foot-5 junior who is left handed, drew six exclusions and scored three of his match-high four goals on the power play.
Bradley, a 6-foot-3 senior committed to USC, drew three exclusions and tallied two goals.
Anderson said the Lions are playing through center more following the graduation of Olympian Ryder Dodd, now a freshman at UCLA who played attacker.
"We're just rolling with our strengths," Anderson said. "Mainly, our goal is open for a center, get the ball in, draw an exclusion and play 6 on 5. Controlled. Fast. Tempo."
JSerra still isn't full strength. They were missing three players but received two goals off the bench from junior attacker Connor Colman.
Senior Beck Early added a slick steal and drawn exclusion early in the second period to set up Bradley for a goal. Senior Brian Barnuevo chipped in a goal and two assists.
Colman (Los Alamitos) and Barnuevo (Mater Dei) are transfers who observed sitout periods.
"It's been a huge work in progress," Bradley said of the Lions' chemistry. "This group of guys just stuck it together, and we're doing a really good job just being there for each other .... and working day in, day out to accomplish our overall goal in November."
Mater Dei (12-6, 2-1) went 3 for 5 on the extra man. Left-handed senior Kyson Becker had a goal and an assist in the first period to help lead the Monarchs. Goalie Morgan Crichton, a sophomore, added five saves in the first half.
"It was a good learning experience," Mater Dei coach Wyatt Benson said. "I generally think we're Open Division-bound."
JSerra and Mater Dei will join Santa Margarita and Newport Harbor, among others, at the North-South Challenge, Oct. 18-19 in Atherton.