Sean McDonald
Staff writer
Although Mira Costa may be the historically superior team, Dana Hills had their mind set on winning on Wednesday.
Mira Costa boys water polo fell to the Dana Hills Dolphins, 11-8, in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) semifinal on Wednesday night at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine.
“It really was a tough game to lose,” senior attacker Jake Tolt said. “It could have gone either way in the end.”
The game started with a goal from the Dolphins on a skip shot, then a goal from Tolt off of a penalty. Shortly after, junior attacker Lucas Brannan scored, followed by a Dolphin goal. The quarter ended with a goal from senior set guard Finn Pardon and from Dana Hills, making it 3-3.
“The first quarter was busy and quite competitive,” junior attacker Garrett Weatherly said. “Everybody was competing.”
Dana Hills started the second quarter with a goal and Tolt soon responded making it even. Stanford commit Bennett Williams of Dana Hills ended the second quarter on a goal sending the Dolphins into halftime with the lead, 5-4.
“We were playing well, it was just a matter of remaining focused and keeping up in the game,” junior attacker Christian Thornton said.
The third quarter began with a backhand goal from Tolt requiring some evasive maneuvers. Tolt then stole the ball and tallied his fourth goal of the night, determined to carry the Mustangs to victory. The quarter ended 7-6 after two more goals from Dana Hills.
“It was back and forth the whole time,” Pardon said. “We all knew the game would come down to the last quarter.”
The fourth began with a goal from senior attacker Nate Griffith, tying the game 7-7. Thornton then gave the Mustangs the lead on a goal from distance. Dana Hill’s Williams then scored three consecutive goals, and a teammate added one on, ending the game 11-8.
“A few mistake were made in the fourth that let them get the lead,” Tolt said. “I think the whole team can agree that we went out with pride though.”
This game ended Mira Costa’s playoff run, finishing a game short of the CIF final. The Mustangs finished the season at 24-7 overall, and were Bay League champions. According to coach Jon Reichardt, it was a valiant effort that just didn’t go their way.
“I thought that everyone played great,” Reichardt said. “There were just a few mistakes here and there that ultimately made the difference, but they went out fighting, which is what matters.”
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