The San Lorenzo Valley High boys water polo team came away with a hard-fought victory over Christopher High School in Monterey Bay Pacific League action on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
The 9-7 victory improved the burgeoning Cougars to 5-7 overall including tournament play and 2-2 in league after two consecutive victories.
“We knew they had a big shooter, so we’ve been working on dropping off, going quickly over and then going back to our guy,” said head coach Matt Troxell.
Troxell was pleased with the defensive effort his team gave and also the execution of the team’s offensive strategy of taking shots from the outside, rather than always dumping the ball into the hole to try to score from in front.
Mateo Rocamora and Sam Van Pykeren each scored three times to lead the Cougars attack.
“Mateo Rocamora, he gets everyone else fired up,” Troxell said. “Everybody is working hard and teamwork is always our strategy.”
Ryland Denny also notched two goals in the victory and Kurt Fulkerson scored once.
“These guys are working hard all the time and having a lot of fun,” Troxell said.
Scotts Valley gals fall in 2 OT
A late goal by visiting Christopher High School tied the score in regulation, and after a scoreless overtime period, Christopher scored the game winner, to top Scotts Valley High School in the San Lorenzo Valley High School pool on Sept. 24.
The final score, 6-5, was the result of a defensive battle that found Scotts Valley battle back from a 4-1 halftime deficit to take a 5-4 lead with minutes remaining.
“We played well,” said Falcon Head Coach Kurt Edwards. “(Our girls) put forth a tremendous effort.”
In the second half, Grace Ransler scored after being first blocked on a breakaway in the third quarter. Allie Miller followed with a goal on an assist from Meredith Barton to bring the score to 4-3 and then with 20 seconds left in the third quarter, Barton scored on a pass from Adelicia Johnson to even things up at 4.
Then in the fourth quarter, after a tremendous save by goalie Hannah Freeman on a Christopher breakaway, Barton, a lefty scored from the hole on a pass from Noelle Downing to take 5-4 lead with four minutes remaining.
The lead looked like it would stand up, until a Christopher player scored the game-tying goal with 1:29 left to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, scoring chances were few and far-between as both teams went back and forth. In the second overtime, Christopher scored the game-winner with 1:49 remaining in the three minute period.
The loss dropped the Falcons to 2-3 in league play and 3-6 overall. Barton was the leading scorer with three goals.
The team’s three seniors, Barton, Ransler and Freeman are team captains, and there are four freshmen to go along with several sophomores and juniors.
The team is improving each day, Edwards said.
“They are seeing things happen and are more aware of what is happening in the pool,” he said. “The fundamentals have improved tremendously and they’re playing as a team.”
