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| Vikings take instruction from Coach Tom Atwell (L) during timeout in first half. (Photo by Ed Piper) |
By Ed Piper
La Jolla looked like a completely different team from a week ago in a league-ending loss, and as a result was able to hold on for a thrilling 8-7 win over Cathedral Catholic in the quarterfinals of the CIF Open Division boys water polo playoffs Sat., Nov. 4.
In the earlier loss in the Dons' pool, a 7-3 whipping, the Vikings' second loss to Cathedral in league play, they had looked powerless and lethargic before their dominating hosts.
But the third time's a charm, and La Jolla was able to score first, then battle Cathedral in a seesaw struggle that saw eight ties before the go-ahead goal on a lob by sophomore Cole Atwell with five minutes left.
"We played as a team," said an out-of-breath Atwell right after getting out of the Coggan Pool before a large, vocal crowd. "The difference (from the loss to the Dons a week ago) was we wanted it more."
The Vikings went down by two goals, 5-3, the biggest deficit during the match, to begin the third quarter. But they fought back to tie behind scores by Atwell and senior Rory Groth.
In the final quarter, senior Maverick Becker's third goal came with 5:46 to knot the score at 7-7, before Atwell's floater from the left side arched over Don goalie Andrew Kuypers to enter the upper right of the goal.
La Jolla goalie Cole Raulston recorded 14 saves in a performance in which he elevated his game to fit the occasion.
The Vikings move on to the Open Division semifinals Wed., Nov. 8, for a 7:30 p.m. match against Bishop's, which destroyed Valhalla 15-3 in a later game after La Jolla's win Saturday afternoon at Coggan Pool.
SCORING
La Jolla-Cathedral Catholic
1st Quarter
1-0 - LJ goal by Maverick Becker - 0:30
1-1 - CC goal by George Harris - 0:07
2nd Quarter
1-2 - CC goal by Christopher Sturtevant - 6:05
2-2 - LJ goal by Johnny Dickerson - 5:29
3-2 - LJ goal by Tyler Brown - 4:40
3-3 - CC goal by Christopher Sturtevant - 4:17
3-4 - CC goal by Matt Stone - 0:54
3rd Quarter
3-5 - CC goal by Christopher Sturtevant - 6:08
4-5 - LJ goal by Cole Atwell - 5:09
5-5 - LJ goal by Rory Groth - 4:06
5-6 - CC goal by Thomas Gruwell - 1:11
6-6 - LJ goal by Maverick Becker - his second - 0:20
4th Quarter
6-7 - CC goal by George Harris - 6:18
7-7 - LJ goal by Maverick Becker - his third - 5:46
8-7 - LJ goal by Cole Atwell - 4:57
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