Returning after a long summer training session, the CHS Boys’ Varsity Water Polo team is back competing against some of the top schools in the state. To prepare for this upcoming season, the team played a few scrimmages, leading up to the traditional first-game-of-the-season against Newport Harbor High School. “That tradition has been going on for a couple of decades,” says Coach Castillo. “It’s always good playing them first because we get a gauge of what we need to work on.”
Newport Harbor is ranked among the top ten teams in the state, and several of their players play at a national level. Coach Castillo saw it as an opportunity to give some of his younger players their first varsity minutes of the season. Although the final score was 3-9—a win for Newport—the Islanders were ready for Wednesday’s game against Vista High School.
“Last year, we actually beat Vista High School 13-12 in the semi-finals of CIFs, which they saw as an upset,” says Coach Castillo. “They’re probably a top-five team in the county.”
The first half of Wednesday’s game ended in a draw, 2-2. Returning goalie Teddy Oliver blocked over half of their attempts. “Teddy just has a natural instinct for getting in front of the ball, and then, of course, he gets the block,” comments Coach Castillo. “A lot of these blocks were results of a lower performance from our defense, so a lot of the shots shouldn’t even have happened.”
The second half determined proved to be just as close, coming to just one goal. Senior Hector Martinez scored his second goal in this half, and senior Andy Rodgers scored a penalty shot. Unfortunately, Vista was able to get in one more shot the fourth quarter to win 4-5.
“What let us down in the game was communication,” Coach Castillo noticed. “We had times where two guys were guarding one guy, leaving another guy open, which resulted in one of their goals. Communication is not necessarily skill, but it’s just something that comes as we keep playing with each other throughout the season.”
Upcoming Game:
- Tuesday, September 11 vs. Grossmont High School at the BBMAC @ 4:30 PM
- Wednesday, September 12 vs. Canyon Crest Academy at the BBMAC @ 3:00 PM
