CAPTAINS USE 7 GOAL 4TH QUARTER TO RALLY PAST SUNDEVILS

CLAIREMONT 13 – MT. CARMEL 9

The second annual edition of Polopalooza was even more competitive and entertaining than the first, featuring several top teams across the 3 divisions and a sponsorship from Chick-fil-A that made the event feel extra special.  The Clairemont boys had a tough opening contest Friday night against #10 Rancho Bernardo, falling 18-12.  The match was tight all the way through until the 4th quarter.  Saturday morning the Caps faced off with division 1 Grossmont in another difficult match up, but once again came up short 13-10.  The last game of the event pitted Clairemont against Mt. Carmel in a rematch from last year’s Polopalooza where the Captains achieved an 8-5 victory.

The Captains got off to a good start vs the Sundevils after Junior Ryan Fegan scooped up a rebound and dished out an assist to a waiting Senior Brixton Morey who peppered one into the upper left corner for a 1-0 lead.  But the lead was short lived as a rebound the other way led to an easy put back for Mt. Carmel to tie things up 1-1.  The Sundevils capitalized on a turnover from the Captains to push breakaway down the other way, leading to a penalty shot call.  The Flying Dutchmen Cullen Holland had other plans though, denying the attempt with a big right hand save!  Unfortunately Mt. Carmel would break through a few possessions later, taking their first lead of the match at 2-1.  Freshman Ryder Sagastume did not let the lead stand for long, answering back with a beautiful top corner bar down to even the score.  But another Clairemont error in transition gave the lead right back to the Sundevils as the quarter ended 3-2.

The second quarter also started well for Clairemont as they earned a power play on their first possession, and Junior Sebastien Fitzgerald helped Senior Preston Coleman convert the equalizer.  But the rest of the quarter devolved into a swim meet both ways for long stretches, as neither team could find a goal.  As the fatigue set in, the Captains let down their guard and allowed for a 3-0 run to occur.  Junior Graham West ended the run with a rip past the goalie late, but Clairemont limped into halftime licking their wounds down 6-4.  Things went from bad to worse during the third quarter as the Captains struggled to get out of their own way, leading to a daunting 8-5 deficit with only a minute remaining.  In the final possession of the quarter and with time winding down, Fegan launched a prayer at the cage that ricocheted off the Sundevil keeper’s face and into the goal!  That play seemed to open the eyes of everyone on the team – just SHOOT!!!

Down 8-6 to start the fourth, the Captains came out guns blazing!  In the blink of an eye Clairemont was back on top after 3 straight goals, forcing a Mt. Carmel time out.  The attempt to stymie Clairemont’s momentum was unsuccessful though, and the boys proceeded to rattle off 4 more unanswered goals to completely turn this one on its head!  Everything seemed to come together during this run, with defensive stops leading to opportunities in transition.  The boys did all the little things required to win a close game like this – they took care of the ball, communicated in transition, and forced tough shots on defense.  It was a great comeback and a great win after a very challenging week of games.

UP NEXT

The Clairemont Boys Water Polo team improves to 3-4 on the season.  Up next the boys travel to Orange County to compete in one of the top high school tournaments in the country, the Villa Park Classic.  The Caps open up with Irvine High School at 4pm at El Dorado High.  Come out and support your CAPTAINS!!