The Mater Dei Catholic High School boys water polo team closed out first-round Mesa League play with a 15-11 victory against the Hilltop Lancers Oct. 11 at the Parkway pool.
The Crusaders hit the midway mark of league play with a 5-0 record.
For the better part of the game, however, it appeared as if the defending league champions might be hit with their first league loss in 2017.
The competition in the Mesa League continues to be stout, with little separating teams. Often, it is the execution of all the proverbial “little things” that go into creating a win that divide teams in the standings.
So far, the Crusaders have managed to stay afloat at the top of the league.
Team depth certainly played a big role in the win over Hilltop. The host Lancers led 3-2 at the end of the first quarter, and though Mater Dei Catholic battled back to take the lead in the second quarter, the teams remained separated by a scant two goals until midway through the third quarter.
That’s been the scenario for many of the Crusaders’ wins this season. Both combatants are locked in a heated battle throughout much of the contest before MDC manages to pull away in the late stages to secure the win.
Fernando Margain stepped forward in the Hilltop game with five goals while B.J. Riley and Juan Hernandez each contributed two goals.
Team scoring leader Ben Brown recorded five goals in the game. However, there was plenty of help to spread around the scoring.
Dionesio Saucedo was credited with 10 goalie saves in the contest.
Hilltop received five goals from Daniel Gonzalez and three goals from Mark Estrada in the loss. Daniel Ryan also contributed two goals while Dominic Carlucci had one goal for the Lancers, who received nine goalie saves from Angelo Rayoan.
Second round
The Crusaders opened second-round play with a 13-9 win at Mar Vista on Oct. 13. Brown and Hernandez each scored five goals in the victory.
Mater Dei Catholic sank visiting Eastlake, 12-7, in a game played Tuesday, Oct. 17, and doubled the score against visiting Bonita Vista, 21-101, on Thursday, Oct. 18, to improve to 8-0 in league play, 18-4 overall.
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Mater Dei Ctholic has two more regular season games on its schedule: Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Otay Ranch (7 p.m. at the Loma Verde pool) and Friday, Oct. 27, against visiting Hilltop (3 p.m. start). The Crusaders are assured of winning this year’s league championship for the second consecutive year.
The San Diego Section divisional playoffs are scheduled to start Oct. 31 (Division I and Division III) and Nov. 1 (Division II). Any play-in games will take place prior to first-round pairings.
The division finals are scheduled Nov. 11 at La Jolla High School. The state regionals are scheduled Nov. 17-18 at Corona Del Mar and Newport Harbor high schools.
Mater Dei Catholic entered the week holding down the No. 4 spot in the Division II power rankings. South Bay League leader San Ysidro (6-0 in league, 17-9 overall) was ranked fourth among Division III teams.
Metro Conference
Boys Water Polo
Mesa League
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Eastlake 10, Mar Vista 9
Hilltop 20, Otay Ranch 5
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Eastlake 10, Otay Ranch 2
Mater Dei Catholic 15, Hilltop 11
Bonita Vista 11, Mar Vista 10
Friday, Oct. 13
Eastlake 6, Hilltop 5
Mater Dei Catholic 13, Mar Vista 9
Bonita Vista 15, Otay Ranch 4
Tuesday, Oct. 17
Mater Dei Catholic 12, Eastlake 7
Bonita Vista 7, Hilltop 6
Wednesday, Oct. 18
Mar Vista 7, Eastlake 5
Mater Dei Catholic 20, Bonita Vista 10
Hilltop 15, Otay Ranch 4
South Bay League
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Chula Vista 7, Castle Park 6
Southwest 8, Olympian 7
Friday, Oct. 13
San Ysidro 12, Olympian 2
Southwest 13, Chula Vista 3
Tuesday, Oct. 17
Olympian 19, Chula Vista 7
Wednesday, Oct. 18
San Ysidro 13, Chula Vista 4
Southwest 17, Castle Park 10
