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SANTA ANA — Santa Margarita’s boys water polo team entered a showdown against Mater Dei on Wednesday night with an earlier victory against the Monarchs but knew better than to overlook its Trinity League rival.

Especially playing at Mater Dei.

Looming over the Monarchs’ pool is recognition of seven CIF-SS championships and three Olympians.

“They have pedigree,” first-year Santa Margarita coach Ivan Buich said of Mater Dei. “This program is historic.”

Santa Margarita needed every bit of its focus to secure a 13-10 triumph and emerge as the chief challenger for defending champion JSerra in the Trinity League.

The Eagles (15-2, 2-0), ranked No. 4 in Orange County , overcame a 9-8 deficit early in

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