 | | | Campolindo Boys' Water Polo wins its first NCS Championship. Photos Gint Federas
| | | | | | It is not unusual for two Lamorinda rivals to meet up in the North Coast Section finals, but it is rare to have the same two schools face off in both the boys and girls divisions of the same sport - on Nov. 16, the Miramonte and Campolindo water polo teams battled for the championship. The Cougars came out on top in both games.
Boys
In Saturday's Division 1 Boys NCS championship game No. 2 Campolindo edged out top-seeded Miramonte for their first ever NCS win, with a final score of 11-10.
Acalanes' Heaston Aquatic Center was standing room only as a roaring crowd watched a physical and tense back-and-forth final match. The majority of the game was either tied or led by the Mats; Campo only possessed the lead twice early in the second quarter.
"We never felt as if we were climbing up hill, we were as prepared as possible and confident. Our boys never let down and that was the key to the victory," said Campo head coach Miles Price.
With 26 seconds remaining, Cougars' senior captain Dylan Fara netted the go-ahead goal bringing the score to the final 11-10. With precious seconds still left on the clock Miramonte attempted to even the score, but time ran out, ending the Mats' quest for a ninth title in 10 years.
"Every one of them played outstanding," Price said. "Grant Sivesind controlled that game until he fouled out with three minutes to go. At that point (Garrett) Felix, Fara and (Spencer) Tagg took over and made some key plays. It's tough not to mention the other guys though because they made a huge difference ... It was really a team victory."
Girls
For the No. 2 Miramonte girls, it was their first appearance in the Division 2 NCS finals since 2007. Top-seeded Campolindo has played in the finals every year since 2009.
Miramonte came out strong, scoring first and keeping the score even through the first quarter. Campo surged in the second quarter, opening up a 10-goal lead.
The Lady Mats held off Campo's at-will scoring in the third but, despite their tenacity, could not make up the deficit. Campo widened the gap in the fourth quarter with fierce defense and aggressive offense as the Cougars clinched their third NCS title in four years, 19-6.
"Off of great team defense we produced good counter attack opportunities, which led to players getting open in the front court. The team passing was excellent and players shot the ball well," said Campo head coach Kim Everist.
Senior captains Annika Jensen and Natalie Seidmann were high scorers with seven and six goals respectively. Junior goalkeeper Madison Tagg logged 15 saves.
"No doubt that Annika, Natalie and Maddi were on. All three had an outstanding game," Everist said. "One of our strengths is that we play as a collective unit, it's never about one individual. The team worked really well together," she explained.
Miramonte head coach Trevor Rose gives kudos to both Campo and his own team. "I'm very proud of my team and to win 20 games in a season is awesome. Their hard work earned us that last game, but in the end Campo was just too strong," he said.
Fourth-seeded Acalanes advanced to the semi-finals where they were defeated by Campolindo.
Final Season Records
Boys Girls
Campolindo 22-6 24-3
Miramonte 19-9 20-7
Acalanes 11-14 15-12
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA