Bears build a commanding first-half lead to improve to 2-0 in Crest League play
Daniel Menchaca scored four goals as the John Burroughs Bears defeated the Pasadena Bulldogs, 13-8, in a Crest League water polo matchup relocated from Burroughs to Burbank High School due to the pool at Burroughs High School being over 80 degrees.
Both teams entered the contest coming off victories in their league openers. Burroughs defeated South Pasadena, 13-8, while Pasadena earned a 24-8 win over Monrovia. The Bears took control early, opening with four unanswered goals. Menchaca, Lincoln Morrow, Roy Yuzna and Lucas Spratt each scored as Burroughs held Pasadena scoreless in the first quarter.
Burroughs continued its offensive surge in the second quarter. Goals from Morrow, Menchaca and Landon Quiambao extended the lead to 7-0 before Sebastian Khachikian put Pasadena on the board. Menchaca added two more goals to finish the half with four, and the Bears entered the break with a commanding 10-1 advantage.
Pasadena began the third quarter with consecutive goals from Cory Collins Lopez and Anton Scherbakov. Burroughs answered and pushed its lead to 12-3 before another goal from Khachikian brought the Bulldogs within eight entering the final quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to chip away in the fourth. Lucas Calis and Khachikian scored back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to 12-6, but Yuzna responded with an insurance goal for Burroughs. Calis added two late goals for Pasadena before the Bears secured the 13-8 victory.
Burroughs improved to 7-8 overall and 2-0 in Crest League play, while Pasadena fell to 10-7 overall and 1-1 in league action. Both teams return to the pool Thursday, October 8. Burroughs travels to Monrovia, while Pasadena hosts South Pasadena. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m.
