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.