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NEWPORT COAST — Mater Dei’s boys water polo team continued to navigate a fresh course in the CIF-SS playoffs with focus and determination.

The Monarchs sprinted to a four-goal lead in the first quarter at Sage Hill and never let the Lightning draw closer than two goals en route to an 11-8 victory in the Division 1 quarterfinals on Thursday.

In its first appearance in the section’s No. 2-ranked playoff division since 2009, third-seeded Mater Dei (15-13) will play at No. 2 Harvard-Westlake (12-15) in the semifinals Wednesday.

Harvard-Westlake is competing in the section’s No. 2 playoff division for the first time since 1991.

Defender Noah Jurgensen showed his urgency and versatility by scoring four

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