By Pete Borello
Prep Water Polo Playoffs
St. Francis girls win second-straight section championship
The Los Altos High boys water polo team hung with Menlo for the first half of Saturday’s Central Coast Section Division II final, trailing only 3-2 at intermission.
But the top-seeded Knights (32-3) wore down the Eagles in the second half to prevail 12-4 at Independence High in San Jose.
“Menlo had more energy and drive in the second half than we did,” said Deke Rowell, coach of second-seeded Los Altos (27-6).
Menlo star Grant Zider, held to one goal in the initial half thanks to stifling defense by J.B. Sines, scored four times in the final half to lead the Knights to their second-straight title.
“Zider is one of the two best players in the CCS and we knew he’d get us eventually,” Rowell said. “He made a couple of perimeter shots that really broke our backs.”
Los Altos junior Brian Whitlock said Menlo adjusted its offense in the second half to counter what his team was doing defensively.
“They started to move their offense out a little bit - the semicircle got larger - and they’re hole set (Zider) had more time to shoot.”
Andy Wiener led the Eagles offensively with two goals, both of which he scored in the first half. His second goal, assisted by Chris Kelsch, put Los Altos up 2-1 early in the second quarter.
Menlo went on a 5-0 run from there, though, and the Eagles scored only twice the rest of the way, courtesy of shots by Whitlock and Kelsch.
Los Altos advanced to the title game by edging No. 2 Soquel 8-7 Nov. 13 in a semifinal match at Independence.
Kevin Buurma scored a team-high three goals for the Eagles and goalie Jon Young made several key saves down the stretch.
Los Altos, which lost to Menlo in last year’s title game as well, compiled its best record since 1987 and won the SCVAL De Anza Division championship.
“We had a great season,” Rowell said. “The kids were dedicated and worked hard.”
SF girls win another title
Although the St. Francis High girls water polo team went into Saturday’s final at Independence as the top seed, player Dana Saign didn’t think her squad was getting the respect it deserved.
“Opponents looked down upon us because we’ve been through a lot this year,” Saign said. “But we showed everyone what we’re made of.”
The Lancers topped No. 2 Mitty 6-3 to claim its second title in a row.
Tied at 1 after the first quarter, St. Francis went on a 2-0 run in the second to take control.
“We wanted it more than Mitty did,” Saign said. “We really played our hearts out.”
Lindsey O’Farriell led St. Francis (28-2) with two goals; Rebecca Dreyfuss, Molly Hayes, Kelly Thede and Saign scored a goal apiece.
St. Francis had an easier time in the semifinals Nov. 14, pounding Palo Alto 10-1.
The Lancers led No. 4 Paly 5-0 at the half. Lindsey Bacolini and Saign made three goals each.
