CLAIREMONT BOYS BRING THE HEAT TO LAKESIDE; DROP 17 GOALS IN FIRST WIN OF SEASON

CLAIREMONT 17 – EL CAPITAN 12

Despite being 104 degrees at ball drop in Lakeside, it was Clairemont that brought the heat to El Cap on Wednesday as the Captains sailed to a 17-12 victory over the Vaqueros on the road.  It was a barn burner in the first quarter though as 8 total goals were scored over the first 7 minutes of play.  The back and forth affair got kick started by Freshman Ryder Sagastume, scoring off a drive on Clairemont’s first possession of the game.  But the Vaqueros would retake the momentum with back to back strikes to claim their first lead of the game at 2-1.  The Captains wouldn’t be swayed however as Senior Preston Coleman and Junior Graham West found the back of the cage to regain their team’s lead.  El Cap answered once again with a two goal run to reclaim the lead, only for Sagastume to notch his second goal of the game late in the first to tie things up at 4 a piece.

Clairemont settled in defensively to start the second quarter, going on a three goal run over the first 3 minutes to establish their biggest lead of the game at 7-4.  Junior Corbin Giles spearheaded the assault with back to back goals from center which forced the Vaqueros to retreat their defense back into a zone. But this only served to open up Clairemont’s shooters on the outside, and Junior Ryan Fegan once again located Sagastume for their third connection of the game!  Momentum began to shift late in the second quarter though as El Cap capitalized on back to back power plays to pull within 1 goal.  They nearly tied the match in the waning seconds after earning a penalty shot, only to be denied emphatically on the attempt by Junior keeper Cullen “The Flying Dutchmen” Holland.  7-6 Clairemont at halftime.

With the sun setting and the crowd having survived the worst of the heat, the energy on the pool deck ramped up with excitement and tension for the second half!  A little shooting duel broke out between Graham West and El Cap’s #9 over the first 2 minutes.  With the late sun beaming into the Vaquero goalie’s face, West tested the player’s vision with a quick rip from the top, sneaking it in underneath his arm to put Clairemont up 8-6.  El Cap’s #9 answered, West answered back, and #9 responded.  But at 9-8, the Captains finally went on a run that put the game away for good.  Senior Captain Brixton Morey started the 4 goal run with a rocket from the top, followed up by goals from Sagastume and Coleman, and ending with another one for Morey to put Clairemont up 13-9 going into the final frame.  The Captains carried their run into the fourth quarter, extending their lead as far as 16-9 before the white flag was raised.  Junior Derek Pryor put an exclamation point on the match with a big penalty shot save of his own to end the game.  17-12 Clairemont!

STATS

• Goals: Ryder Sagastume (5), Preston Coleman (3), Graham West (3), Corbin Giles (2), Charlie Gipson (2)
• Assists: Ryan Fegan (6), Shawn Spears (4), Graham West (2), Ryder Sagastume (2), Luis Pereya (1), Charlie Gipson (1)
• Steals: Ryder Sagastume (6), Graham West (2), Luis Pereya (1), Corbin Giles (1), Ryan Fegan (1), Derek Pryor (1)
• Saves: Cullen Holland (5), Derek Pryor (4)

UP NEXT

The Clairemont Boys Water Polo team improves to 1-1 on the season.  Up next the boys head just east to Tierrasanta to face the Canyon Hills Rattlers.  Game is on Friday at 5pm at Tierrasanta Rec Pool.  Come out and support your CAPTAINS!!