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WALNUT — Brea Olinda’s boys water polo team sealed its first CIF Southern Section title with a defensive stand in the dramatic, final seconds and a celebratory leap into the pool by its coach.

It was a fitting conclusion Saturday for a soaring adventure.

The Wildcats showcased their defensive progress and year-round commitment under sixth-year coach Damian Madrigal to rally past Capistrano Valley 11-10 in a clash of upstarts in the CIF-SS Division 2 final at Mt. SAC.

“Making history,” a drenched Madrigal said with a smile. “That’s what we really worked on. It feels fantastic.”

Appearing in its first section final since 1997, Brea Olinda (20-7) secured the championship by protecting an 11-10 lead for the final 17 seconds after a timeout by Capistrano Valley (18-13).

With both teams playing at even strength, Brea Olinda pressed the ball, dropped extra defense at center and forced a perimeter shot from the wing just after time expired. The shot from Capistrano Valley, in its first final since 2018, hit the crossbar as the Wildcats began to celebrate.

Brea Olinda identified improved defense as one of the biggest reasons for its postseason success, and it certainly showed on the final possession.

“It’s insane,” said Brea Olinda junior attacker Kyle Franks, who had four goals, four assists, four drawn exclusions and one drawn penalty. “All the hard work has paid off. I’m glad it did.”

The hard work included playing club in the offseason for Brea Olinda Aquatics. The team won a medal in the 16-and-under division at Junior Olympics last summer.

The Wildcats’ defensive stand made a perimeter strike from 7 meters by junior Landen Templeton the game-winning goal. He snapped a 10-10 deadlock with his fourth goal off the bench with 3:14 left in regulation.

Brea Olinda’s outside shooting was critical since Capistrano Valley successfully dropped on Brea Olinda center Gavin Templeton, who finished with one goal on the counterattack.

The Wildcats also leaned on a clutch second-half performance from goalie Derek Maddox. The senior made 11 of his 15 saves in the second half.

Maddox blocked a penalty shot with 4:37 left in the fourth to preserve a 10-8 lead. The block loomed significant as Capistrano Valley’s Matt Bauer netted consecutive goals on the counterattack to tie the score in the next minute.

“Credit to them,” said sixth-year Capistrano Valley coach OJ Vazquez, whose team placed fifth in the tough South Coast League. “They executed. Our guys were trying to find shots and their goalie played big. He got some big stops down the stretch.”

“He looked like our wall — our Brea Olinda wall,” Madrigal said of Maddox.

Capistrano Valley made 5 of 8 shots in the first period to take a 5-3 lead. Seeking their first title in a fifth finals appearance, the Cougars led by two goals four times in the opening half.

Brea Olinda took its first lead at 8-7 on an extra-man strike by Landen Templeton with 23 seconds left in the first half. Franks capped a stellar second period with the assist.

“He had a great game,” Madrigal said of Franks. “Jack of all trades.”

The Wildcats went 3 for 5 on the power play while the Cougars finished 2 for 3.

Capistrano Valley goalie Carter Nelson dueled Maddox with 11 saves, including five in the final period.

Brea Olinda and Capistrano Valley both indicated they would play in the CIF SoCal Regional next week.

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