Just as quickly as the league water polo season got underway a month ago, it comes to a close today, October 26, with the last game of the regular season. Campolindo finishes at Dougherty Valley, and Miramonte hosts Acalanes in a game that is sure to be a thriller. Today's boys' matchup will determine the winner of DFAL. Both the Mats and the Dons boast undefeated records of 4-0.
In last week's action on October 19, the Acalanes boys beat Las Lomas while the girls' team fell to the Lady Knights. Campo met up with their cross-town rivals at Miramonte. Each school took home a win. Campo grabbed the win with the girls' team, finishing 10-4. The Miramonte boys' team solidly defeated their Cougar counterparts, 23-6.
In the girls' match-up, the Lady Cougars came out clawing, scoring more than half of their points in the first seven-minute quarter. The opening goal hit the corner of the net in the first 15 seconds of play.
Campo's momentum continued, but the Lady Mats tightened their defense the rest of the game and held Campo to two goals in the second, kept them scoreless in the third, and allowed just one goal in the final quarter.
"We play a slightly different style, with a strong emphasis on defense," said Lady Mats coach Trevor Rose.
The Lady Cougars' offense was just too strong for the Mats' defense, however. Head coach Kim Everist credits the girls. "I think my team came out with great intensity and focus. They were active and continued to put pressure on the Miramonte defense. My team was confident in their perimeter shooting."
High scorers included Kimi Klein (four goals), Annika Jensen (two goals), Sam Flower (two goals), and Natalie Seidemann (two goals). "Our center play was also key - Natalie Seidemann and Hannah Buck, as their ability to hold side allowed our perimeter to get great looks from the outside," Everist said.
Miramonte got its turn at a win when the boys entered the pool. The Mats dominated the Cougars from the very start, scoring no less than five goals per quarter. The Cougar defense could not stop the Matador offensive force as the boys sunk balls roughly every minute. Top scorers included junior Jack Fellner (four goals), senior Kevin Yee (three goals), and sophomore Tyler Kirchberg (three goals).
Although offensive efforts show on the scoreboard, the Matadors' defense deserves credit too. "Zach Paxton played well as our goalkeeper and the team put great energy into playing our team defensive system. This led to some key transition opportunities for the team, which led to goal scoring opportunities," said head coach James Lathrop. Paxton recorded 13 saves in the win.
Although the Cougars had frequent attempts at goals, they had trouble getting on the scoreboard. "The hardest part is coming together and learning how to trust and communicate with one another inside and outside of the pool," said head coach Miles Price.
"Every year you lose key players. That's the whole point behind creating a program and not just a team...Our goal as a program is to continue to develop all of our players and bring the (NCS) title back to Campolindo."
The NCS Championships begin November 2.
Season-to-date records:
Acalanes
Girls: 2-2 DFAL
Boys: 4-0 DFAL
Campolindo
Girls: 3-1 DFAL
Boys: 1-3 DFAL
Miramonte
Girls: 2-2 DFAL
Boys: 4-0 DFAL
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA