Tom Atwell, upon learning of La Jolla's sixth seed matched up against Cathedral Catholic as the third seed in the Open Division water polo playoffs, said, "We like going in as the underdog. We match up well with them."
Well, the coach's words came true, as seniors Maverick Becker and Rory Groth helped lead the Vikings to a satisfying 8-7 win over the Dons in the first round of the playoffs Nov. 4.
Becker, firing a shot, figuratively, across Cathedral's bow, literally scored the game's first goal by sneaking a shot past Don goalie Andrew Kuypers with only 30 seconds left in the opening quarter. It was the first goal of Becker's hat trick of three on the night.
The senior stalwart also scored key goals in the third and fourth quarters of a tooth-and-nail match, one to bring La Jolla back into a tie with Cathedral at 6-6 after the Vikings fought back from a two-goal deficit early in the second half.
The other shot knotted the score at 7-7, with less than six minutes left in the match, to set up Cole Atwell's lob shot less than a minute later to put La Jolla ahead to stay.
All the while, the senior Atwell kept up his usual vocal interchange with the game officials. Like when his son rubbed an eye after taking the ball away on defense with four minutes left in the match and the lead at one: "They did an eye gouge. Did you see that?" It was part of a match-long conversation, at least from the coach's side, we might say.
La Jolla, like its opponents made up of players who swim for various area club teams in the non-school season, including Del Mar, San Diego Shores, and La Jolla (the latter which Tom Atwell coaches), had entered the playoffs with a less-than-sparkling record. The Vikings were listed at 11-14, while Cathedral wasn't much better at 14-14. But the Dons' season is over; LJHS moves on to the semifinals Wed., Nov. 8.
Cole Raulston made his ninth save in goal with 5:21 left in the match. The junior blocked another shot, a skip attempt, with 3:10 left.
With tension really peaking, the goalie blocked a shot at point-blank range at 1:48, once again preserving the narrow lead.
Cole Atwell had a key takeaway on defense as he dropped back into the middle with 3:58 left. That was on the "eye gouge" play.
In the third quarter, La Jolla was called for an illegal substitution. Officials ruled that a player entered the pool prematurely. The coach, in remonstrating with the referees, complained that he couldn't see the official at the scorer's table signalling with a flag because his view was blocked by a loud speaker.
Cathedral was awarded a penalty shot, but Raulston, moving swiftly to his left, blocked the shot aimed just inside the right post. The score was 5-5 at the time.
All the while, the senior Atwell kept up his usual vocal interchange with the game officials. Like when his son rubbed an eye after taking the ball away on defense with four minutes left in the match and the lead at one: "They did an eye gouge. Did you see that?" It was part of a match-long conversation, at least from the coach's side, we might say.
La Jolla, like its opponents made up of players who swim for various area club teams in the non-school season, including Del Mar, San Diego Shores, and La Jolla (the latter which Tom Atwell coaches), had entered the playoffs with a less-than-sparkling record. The Vikings were listed at 11-14, while Cathedral wasn't much better at 14-14. But the Dons' season is over; LJHS moves on to the semifinals Wed., Nov. 8.
Cole Raulston made his ninth save in goal with 5:21 left in the match. The junior blocked another shot, a skip attempt, with 3:10 left.
With tension really peaking, the goalie blocked a shot at point-blank range at 1:48, once again preserving the narrow lead.
Cole Atwell had a key takeaway on defense as he dropped back into the middle with 3:58 left. That was on the "eye gouge" play.
In the third quarter, La Jolla was called for an illegal substitution. Officials ruled that a player entered the pool prematurely. The coach, in remonstrating with the referees, complained that he couldn't see the official at the scorer's table signalling with a flag because his view was blocked by a loud speaker.
Cathedral was awarded a penalty shot, but Raulston, moving swiftly to his left, blocked the shot aimed just inside the right post. The score was 5-5 at the time.
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