Sean McDonald
Staff Writer
Whether it was hitting the goal’s crossbar or post, bad weather or bad luck, Mira Costa’s boys water polo team ran into many obstacles in its non-conference game on Nov. 6 against the Loyola Cubs.
The teams were neck and neck in the first half, until the Cubs ripped apart the Mustangs’ defense in the second half. Loyola out-passed, out-shot, and out-maneuvered the Mustangs, adding to the Mustangs’ 10-3 loss.
“The first half was close and very competitive, but in the second half we gave up many crucial goals which led to our loss,” junior attacker Garrett Weatherly said.
The game started off with Loyola scoring in the opening minute from a well-worked passing play that was then shortly followed by another goal. Senior Finn Pardon scored two goals in response, tying the game up. Loyola scored once more and the quarter ended, 3-2 Loyola.
“The second quarter was hard fought, and there were multiple chances that could have gone either way,” Pardon said.
The second half began with a goal from Loyola, which was then followed by Pardon’s third goal of the night. The Cubs then put up five consecutive goals, making the score 10-3.
“We just needed to execute our chances on offense better today,” coach Jon Reichardt said. “The opportunities were there, but the finishing wasn’t.”
Mira Costa finished its regular season 22-6 overall and began California Interscholastic Federation playoffs against Chino Hills at home on Thursday; however, scores were not available at the time of publication.
“The game was a good CIF warm up, and now the team is more prepared and ambitious to win than ever before,” senior Jake Miller-Tolt said.
Leave a Reply