Press-Telegram
Long Beach, CA
WATER POLO: Servite dominates play, routing the Jackrabbits, 14-4.
By Dave Werstine, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/11/2008 10:38:25 PM PST
LONG BEACH - Poly High boys water polo coach Scott Penttila was more or less pleased with his team's regular season and second-place finish in the Moore Leauge.
And the reward for a job well done? A first-round game in the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs against a third-place team.
But Servite, in all reality, is no third-place team, and the Friars proved it with a 14-4 victory over the host Jackrabbits on Tuesday afternoon.
"It was the worst possible matchup we could have had," said Penttila, whose team finished the season with a 14-12-1 record.
He's right. Whoever put the brackets together didn't do Poly any favors.
Servite (17-13) finished tied for second in the Trinity League, the top league in Division II, and came into the playoffs ranked No.5.
Despite the disparity between the teams, the Jackrabbits were right there through the first quarter and a half.
Poly took the lead less than a minute into the game on a goal by Ian Paice and was tied, 2-2, after Brian Mojica's goal at 3:47 of the second quarter.
But Servite star 2-meter man Cruz Smithson took over, scoring back-to-back goals, and Nate Little added another 43 seconds before the halftime buzzer to give the Friars a 5-2 advantage.
"We were playing well. I was happy enough with our first half," Penttila said. "I do wish we would have been closer."
Poly did get closer. Dillon Kruger scored 44 seconds into the third quarter to make it 5-3.
But the Friars scored the next seven goals - four coming from Smithson - to make it 12-3 and put the game out of reach.
"We had a couple of unlucky bounces ... they go on a run and we go into panic mode," Penttila said. "I know our seniors were gripping a lot. They didn't want their season to end that way."
Poly interrupted the run with a man-advantage goal by Paice with 4:37 left in the game.
Servite added a pair of goals down the stretch for the winning margin.
"We had a good game plan," said Penttila of how the Jackrabbits would defend Smithson, who is considered among the top players in Southern California. "We wanted to double-team Cruz and make other guys beat us."
But Smithson, who tallied six goals over the course of 7:25 in the middle of the game, turned the game around on Poly.
"We should have done better," Penttila said. "We usually look more like the team in the first quarter. I've seen us play better teams closer ... a lot closer." dave.werstine@presstelegram.com
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CIF Water Polo: Poly vs. Servite
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
CIF Water Polo:
Story by J.J. Fiddler
www.LBPOSTSports.com
The Poly boys’ water polo team held down Servite for a half. But half is never enough, and the Friars ran away from the Jackrabbits, 14-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Poly High School. Poly goalie Anthony Gutierrez grabbed 12 saves on the afternoon, but Cruz Smithson and Servite peppered the Jackrabbit defense with shots, as Smithson finished the night with six goals and an assist.
Regarded as one of the top players in Orange County, Smithson was highlighted on Poly’s radar. The Jackrabbits continuously threw multiple defenders at the strong senior, and it worked for a half with Servite only taking a 5-2 lead into the break.
“I felt good at halftime,” said Poly coach Scott Penttila. “Then we came out and scored the first goal, and I was feeling really good… some balls bounced their way, and we went into panic mode a little bit. Our hustle plays diminished.”
Penttila had seen Servite earlier in the season at the South Coast tournament, and knew Poly’s only chance to win was to neutralize Smithson.
After the Jackrabbit score made it 5-3, it was like Smithson flipped his switch. Those hustle plays Penttila mentioned helped the Friars in the 3rd quarter, as Smithson scored four unanswered goals, making it 9-3 Servite, effectively ending the game, and Poly’s season.
“I know we’ve played better teams better than this,” said Penttila after the game. “But we had a solid season. We played good teams and went to good tournaments… we just got the worst possible draw.”
Servite is arguably the most talented third place team in the CIF-SS bracket, coming out of the Trinity League. And even though the score was 1-1 after the first quarter, it never really seemed that close.
CIF Water Polo:
Story by J.J. Fiddler
www.LBPOSTSports.com
The Poly boys’ water polo team held down Servite for a half. But half is never enough, and the Friars ran away from the Jackrabbits, 14-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Poly High School. Poly goalie Anthony Gutierrez grabbed 12 saves on the afternoon, but Cruz Smithson and Servite peppered the Jackrabbit defense with shots, as Smithson finished the night with six goals and an assist.
Regarded as one of the top players in Orange County, Smithson was highlighted on Poly’s radar. The Jackrabbits continuously threw multiple defenders at the strong senior, and it worked for a half with Servite only taking a 5-2 lead into the break.
“I felt good at halftime,” said Poly coach Scott Penttila. “Then we came out and scored the first goal, and I was feeling really good… some balls bounced their way, and we went into panic mode a little bit. Our hustle plays diminished.”
Penttila had seen Servite earlier in the season at the South Coast tournament, and knew Poly’s only chance to win was to neutralize Smithson.
After the Jackrabbit score made it 5-3, it was like Smithson flipped his switch. Those hustle plays Penttila mentioned helped the Friars in the 3rd quarter, as Smithson scored four unanswered goals, making it 9-3 Servite, effectively ending the game, and Poly’s season.
“I know we’ve played better teams better than this,” said Penttila after the game. “But we had a solid season. We played good teams and went to good tournaments… we just got the worst possible draw.”
Servite is arguably the most talented third place team in the CIF-SS bracket, coming out of the Trinity League. And even though the score was 1-1 after the first quarter, it never really seemed that close.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Poly vs. Wilson > LBPost Article
Friday, November 7th, 2008
Wilson Water Polo Spoils Poly Upset Hopes, Reclaims Title
Story by Mike Guardabascio
http://www.lbpostsports.com/
The buildup couldn't have been better: Wilson, one of the nation's best water polo programs historically, had stumbled for the last two years, allowing Poly (2006) and Millikan (2007) to win League titles, after the Bruins had dominated for nearly two decades. Then this season, coach Tony Martinho's team returned to form, entering Thursday's final Moore League match undefeated. But…so did the Jackrabbits, who topped the defending league champ Rams in a thrilling come-from-behind victory earlier in the season. The drama was big enough and the teams so evenly matched that people were actually wondering whether home-pool advantage would be the deciding factor.
But after four quarters, Wilson came out on top, 13-10, recapturing the Moore League title and finishing league play undefeated, while Poly gets their first loss, in front of a packed-and-passionate home 'Nat crowd. It was a tight defensive first quarter, but the Bruins went on a 4-0 run in the second that Poly coach Scott Penttila says made the difference. "That run put us in a hole, and we never got out of it," he said after the match.
The leaders for the 'Rabbits were Dillon Kruger and Ian Paice, who both blasted in three; the Bruins were led by Tyler Kennedy, who had a game-high four. Both teams will now advance to the CIF playoffs; their pairings will be announced Sunday. It's unlikely that things will get any easier for either program over the next few weeks. "The pairings are always a crapshoot," said Penttila, "But it seems to me like the Moore League tends to get the toughest draws." With the way the league has performed this year, they'll probably be able to hold their own.
Wilson Water Polo Spoils Poly Upset Hopes, Reclaims Title
Story by Mike Guardabascio
http://www.lbpostsports.com/
The buildup couldn't have been better: Wilson, one of the nation's best water polo programs historically, had stumbled for the last two years, allowing Poly (2006) and Millikan (2007) to win League titles, after the Bruins had dominated for nearly two decades. Then this season, coach Tony Martinho's team returned to form, entering Thursday's final Moore League match undefeated. But…so did the Jackrabbits, who topped the defending league champ Rams in a thrilling come-from-behind victory earlier in the season. The drama was big enough and the teams so evenly matched that people were actually wondering whether home-pool advantage would be the deciding factor.
But after four quarters, Wilson came out on top, 13-10, recapturing the Moore League title and finishing league play undefeated, while Poly gets their first loss, in front of a packed-and-passionate home 'Nat crowd. It was a tight defensive first quarter, but the Bruins went on a 4-0 run in the second that Poly coach Scott Penttila says made the difference. "That run put us in a hole, and we never got out of it," he said after the match.
The leaders for the 'Rabbits were Dillon Kruger and Ian Paice, who both blasted in three; the Bruins were led by Tyler Kennedy, who had a game-high four. Both teams will now advance to the CIF playoffs; their pairings will be announced Sunday. It's unlikely that things will get any easier for either program over the next few weeks. "The pairings are always a crapshoot," said Penttila, "But it seems to me like the Moore League tends to get the toughest draws." With the way the league has performed this year, they'll probably be able to hold their own.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Poly vs. Wilson 11.06.08
Press-Telegram
Long Beach, CA
WATER POLO:
By David Felton, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/06/2008 11:23:20 PM PST
LONG BEACH - From 1987 to 2005, the Moore League boys water polo championship resided at just one place - Wilson High. During that stretch, the Bruins won a slew of prestigious tournaments, several CIF Southern Section crowns and were a nationally recognized program.
That string was broken in 2006 by Poly, and Millikan claimed the league title last season, leaving some to wonder exactly what had happened to Wilson and whether the Bruins were still a factor in the Moore League, let alone Southern California.
Thursday afternoon Poly (14-12-1, 3-1) held a brief 1-0 lead on a goal by Dan Seagren and tied the game at 2 early in the second quarter on a 6-on-5 goal from Riley Wilson. But Wilson scored the next four goals to take control of the game. Junior Michael LaBounty had an assist and a goal during that stretch, Rick Dilday scored twice and Erik Vogelzang had an assist as well.
Poly was within striking distance at halftime, down 6-3, and cut the lead to two early in the third when Nick Lombardino put in a shot that rebounded off the cage. Lombardino scored again a minute later on a 6-on-5 situation to make the score 7-5, and Poly's supporters were in full throat.
But the Bruins scored the next two goals, including a 5-meter penalty shot by Daniel Tyner, and the Jackrabbits never got closer than three goals again.
Kennedy scored twice in the fourth and Dilday scored with 4:29 remaining when he hustled for a loose ball on the left side of the net and beat Poly keeper Anthony Gutierrez to the near post. The Bruins also scored twice in the fourth with the shot clock running out.
Ian Paice and Dillon Kruger each scored three times to lead the Jackrabbits. Paice scored twice in the fourth quarter on 5-meter penalty shots and Kruger scored a beautiful back-handed goal in the second that cut Wilson's advantage to 6-3 before halftime.
Gutierrez finished with 13 saves, including one off his face late in the third. He also made a terrific stop in the first quarter when LaBounty had a breakaway.
Long Beach, CA
WATER POLO:
By David Felton, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/06/2008 11:23:20 PM PST
LONG BEACH - From 1987 to 2005, the Moore League boys water polo championship resided at just one place - Wilson High. During that stretch, the Bruins won a slew of prestigious tournaments, several CIF Southern Section crowns and were a nationally recognized program.
That string was broken in 2006 by Poly, and Millikan claimed the league title last season, leaving some to wonder exactly what had happened to Wilson and whether the Bruins were still a factor in the Moore League, let alone Southern California.
Thursday afternoon Poly (14-12-1, 3-1) held a brief 1-0 lead on a goal by Dan Seagren and tied the game at 2 early in the second quarter on a 6-on-5 goal from Riley Wilson. But Wilson scored the next four goals to take control of the game. Junior Michael LaBounty had an assist and a goal during that stretch, Rick Dilday scored twice and Erik Vogelzang had an assist as well.
Poly was within striking distance at halftime, down 6-3, and cut the lead to two early in the third when Nick Lombardino put in a shot that rebounded off the cage. Lombardino scored again a minute later on a 6-on-5 situation to make the score 7-5, and Poly's supporters were in full throat.
But the Bruins scored the next two goals, including a 5-meter penalty shot by Daniel Tyner, and the Jackrabbits never got closer than three goals again.
Kennedy scored twice in the fourth and Dilday scored with 4:29 remaining when he hustled for a loose ball on the left side of the net and beat Poly keeper Anthony Gutierrez to the near post. The Bruins also scored twice in the fourth with the shot clock running out.
Ian Paice and Dillon Kruger each scored three times to lead the Jackrabbits. Paice scored twice in the fourth quarter on 5-meter penalty shots and Kruger scored a beautiful back-handed goal in the second that cut Wilson's advantage to 6-3 before halftime.
Gutierrez finished with 13 saves, including one off his face late in the third. He also made a terrific stop in the first quarter when LaBounty had a breakaway.
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