The varsity and junior varsity boys water polo teams took to the road this week for what figured to be two easy league victories.
First up was a visit on Wednesday to Cate, where the Sharks varsity team dismantled the Rams, 19-2. Jack Oakey and Michael Mitze led the team with four goals apiece. Emmet Pierson had three goals, Theo Guillemot had three assists and goalie Dane Sartorius made 19 saves.
Next up for the Sharks on Friday was a visit to Nordhoff, where Malibu overmatched the Rangers, 18-1. Leading the Shark attack were Mitze and Guillemot with four goals apiece. Henry Buckley had three goals and four assists, Pierson had three goals and three steals and George Kasaghossian has three steals. JV goalie Jack Thompson took over in goal and made 20 saves.
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The JV team won both games as well this week.
A team hates to count on victories, but the Sharks know they are in an easy part of the schedule. With only four games left until the playoffs start in a couple weeks, every game is an opportunity to refine their team play. And with only two more league games remaining, the playoff picture is starting to become clearer.
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The Sharks have a 14-6-1 record and are tied for the Tri-Valley League lead with the Oaks Christian Lions. They are ranked No. 5 in the latest Division 6 coaches poll. Topping the poll is Beaumont, followed by Rio Mesa, Temescal Canyon, Oaks Christian, Malibu, Valencia, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Ramona and Villanova.
It can be hard to judge teams by their ranking because many of the them have not played each other. The Sharks have not played Beaumont since they beat them in overtime last year in the Division 6 semifinals. The Sharks have lost two close games to Rio Mesa, but have not seen Temescal Canyon or any of the other top 10 teams except Oaks and Villanova. But ultimately to win it all, you have to beat everyone else. So the rankings don't really make a huge difference.
Next week, the Sharks will wrap up their Tri-Valley league season with two home games. They play Villanova on Wednesday and Carpinteria on Friday. Both games begin at 3:15 p.m.
