Mater Dei High School, a consistently top-ranked water polo team in the country, lived up to its reputation as the Monarchs defeated the Bruins by a score of 14-8 in the semi-finals of the Santa Barbara Invitational on Saturday.
The physicality and aggressiveness by both teams created a palpable atmosphere as they exchanged goals at each end. The Bruins took the lead, 5-4, early in the second quarter, but Mater Dei did not let up as the first half ended with the Monarchs up 8-6.
The Bruins’ resilience kept the team in the game a bit longer, but a deep bench helped Mater Dei keep a fresh line up and secure the victory.
JP and Ryan Ohl led the scoring with three goals each. Luke Apostolides and Vilas Sogaard also contributed a goal. Group defense and physicality kept the Bruins’ hopes alive up until the very end.
The Bruins play Laguna Beach High School for third place at 12:20 PST.
Saves: Miele (6)
Goals: R. Ohl (3), Apostolides (1), JP Ohl (3), V. Sogaard (1)