But GHS boys polo team takes 14-9 loss
But GHS boys polo team takes 14-9 loss
By SCOTT FORSTNER
Sports Editor
GILROY – The Gilroy High boys water polo team went right after visiting Robert Louis Stevenson in Thursday’s second game of a home doubleheader with the Lady Mustangs. But even one of their best efforts of the season was not enough to sink the Pirates as the Mustangs fell short, 14-9.
“We really hoped that we’d do good in this game because they really killed us last year,” said junior Lee Walton, who found the back of the net three times. “I think we played hard. We came in without the thought that we already lost the game and with the thought that we could win this game.”
Junior Santiago Maciel netted a team-high four goals along with one assist to pace Gilroy – which was in it to win it against a seasoned RLS squad. Junior Chris Hunt added two goals and one assist, while junior teammate Scott Dickson tallied three assists. In addition, juniors Jake Klaver and Travis Gamble both had an assist.
“I’m very happy with what we did,” head coach Tom Clark said. “The game was closer than the score shows. We were shutting down a very good team for most of the way.”
After falling behind 3-1 at the end of the first quarter with a lone strike from Walton on a give-and-go play via Hunt, the Mustangs quickly tied the score at 3-3 only two minutes into the second quarter. Maciel one-timed two goals off feeds from Dickson and Klaver. The Pirates netted the next two goals – but Gilroy came back with another from Maciel to cut the gap to one at the half.
“That’s something that we were trying to get them to do – not to put the ball down, just one grab and shoot or a little tip shot,” Clark said. “We were working the weak-side back door. They were so aware.”
Following a RLS strike to open the third quarter, Walton blasted the ball into the net – calling for a pass from Maciel before trimming the spread to one again. The Pirates scored the next two goals – but Walton struck again off a pass from Gamble. RLS responded with two more quick goals until Hunt placed a lob shot into the net to make it a 10-7 ball-game. Gilroy came within two when Maciel touched in another from Dickson, but RLS scored again to extend to a 11-8 lead to end of the third quarter.
“I think it could have gone either way,” Clark said. “The last two years they just clobbered us. The guys passed well. They saw the open man. They were so alert today.”
The Pirates pulled ahead in the final quarter with two goals in a 22 second span. Gilroy had one last gasp as Hunt scored on a man-advantage, but RLS netted one more at the buzzer to clip the Mustangs.
“We’ve been doing a lot of conditioning,” Clark said. “RLS had some very fast swimmers. They are a top swim team in our league.”
Up next, the Mustangs will play host Oct. 21 to Salinas at 3:30 p.m.
