Sharks Cruise Toward Water Polo Playoffs with Wins

The  boys varsity water polo team finished Tri-Valley League play this week with easy home victories over Villanova Prep and Carpinteria. The wins give the Sharks (17-6-1, 9-1 in league play) a share of the league title with Oaks Christian. The Lions and Sharks gave each other their only league losses of the season.

Malibu has two games remaining in the regular season, including a game on Friday against Santa Monica High School. Then the Sharks must focus on the playoffs, which begin Nov. 10. Malibu is ranked fifth in CIF Division 6, while Oaks is ranked fourth. A coin toss will determine which team gets a higher playoff seed. 

First up on Wednesday was Villanova Prep, ranked 10th in CIF Division 6. Malibu's varsity squad tamed the Wildcats easily with an 18-7 victory. Theo Guillemot, Jordan Clarke and Emmet Pierson each scored four goals. Henry Buckley had three assists, George Karaghossian had three steals and junior varsity goalie Jack Thompson (filling in for the injured Dane Sartorius) had eight blocks.

The JV team also won in what turned out to be one of their tougher league matches of the year. After being down 5-3 at the end of the third quarter, the Sharks outscored Villanova 4-1 in the fourth quarter to win the game, 7-6.

The Sharks' league home finale was Friday against Carpinteria. A sentimental moment preceded the game as Malibu head coach Mike Mulligan gave roses to all the seniors, who in turn game them to their mothers. The Sharks varsity team then gave an average effort, but still easily overcame Carpinteria, 16-9.

The Shark attack was led by Clarke with five goals and Pierson, Karaghossian and Guillemot, who each had two goals. Drew Dvorsky and Jens Cole had three assists each, Karaghossian grabbed three steals and Thompson had 13 blocks in goal.

The JV team had an easy time with Carpinteria, and was up by a score of 15-1 before concluding the game with a 17-5 victory. The JV team finished its league season undefeated, which means the Sharks varsity team will have some strong additions next season.

Next week is the Sharks' final chance to tune up for their first playoff game. They will go to Santa Monica on Friday for their annual game against Samohi, which is ranked No. 10 in CIF Division 3. The next day, Malibu hosts Arroyo Grande, which is ranked No. 8 in CIF Division 4. Both games are against quality opponents that will prepare the Sharks for the postseason.