Led by head coach Matthew Schaeffer, the freshman water polo team concluded its season with the Jurupa Valley-Chino Hills Tournament on Nov. 5. The Cubs placed seventh out of a field of 32 teams, finishing the season with a 10-7 record.
Despite matching up against mostly JV teams and not having a true league of their own, the Cubs produced a “successful season,” according to freshman Joey VanAken.
The Cubs scored a total of 138 goals in 17 games averaging 8.1 goals per game. Their largest margin of victory came against Calabasas High School in the Agoura tournament on Thursday, Oct. 13, when the Cubs won by 17 points, beating the Coyotes 19-2.
Players attributed their success throughout the season to the coaching staff. Freshman Attacker John Michael Filippone said, “Coach Schaeffer’s calm demeanor helps us learn and promotes success so that we can further our skills.”
Despite losing their first two games of the season, each by over nine points, the Cubs rebounded to win the following five of six games. Freshman utility Reilly Griffis believes the unsteady start to the season helped promote a sense of unity among the freshman.
“At the start of the season, we hadn’t all come from the same school or city, but as the season progressed, I felt one thing we definitely learned was to work together,” Griffis said.
According to team members Reilly Griffis and Andrew Kotiance, the player elected captain Cicero Aschieris is a huge moral support during in-game struggles against high-caliber opponents.
Reflecting on the team’s successes this season, Schaeffer said, “This is the best freshman Cub record we have had in awhile. I believe it is because of the experience, speed and strength among our players.”
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