Boys varsity water polo defeats Palos Verdes High School, 7-5

By Maddy Braybrooke
Staff Writer

The boys varsity water polo team defeated Palos Verdes High School, 7-5, on Tuesday at Costa.
Costa started off strong with a goal from senior whole set Andrew Burdiak within the first 30 seconds. Both teams continued to play an aggressive game until the end of the first period.

During the second period, senior left wing Gabriel Smith scored the second goal for the Mustangs in the bottom right corner, making the score 2-0. Minutes later, junior perimeter Andrew Todd floated the ball over the goalie’s head, resulting in the third goal of the game.

“We played well enough to win the game, but it was a close match,” coach Jon Reichardt said. “The boys will continue training to improve their game for the rest of the season.”

With the momentum on the Mustangs side, a penalty shot from the Sea Kings brought Costa’s shutout to an end. During the third period, Palos Verdes scored again, tying the score 3-3.
Costa responded with a goal from senior whole set guard Austin Norris, who scored off an assist from Smith. However, Palos Verdes responded with two goals, making the score 4-5.

Senior team captain and perimeter Drew Rogerson tied up the score, 5-5. With a minute left, junior perimeter Brandon Lavinsky scored the go ahead goal, following it with another one 30 seconds later, ending in a Costa victory. The boys next home game will be on Oct. 2 against West Torrance.

“I know I could have played better,” junior goalie Nicholas Dale said. “There were plenty of shots that should not have gone in. It was a tense game and we were all getting butterflies. As the season progresses, we’ll grow more confident and play much stronger in the future games.”