With the CIF Playoffs fast approaching, the varsity Aqua Cubs are making a strong finish to their regular season, highlighted by their victory over top-ranked Mater Dei on Oct. 28 at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatic Center.
The varsity water polo team currently has an overall record of 20-4 and a league record of 2-1, with their most notable games against Long Beach Wilson, Harvard-Westlake, and Mater Dei during the month of October.
The Cubs squared off against Long Beach Wilson, ranked eighth in CIF, at the Belmont Plaza Pool on Oct. 14. In a hard fought game, the Cubs won by a final score of 11-10.
The Cubs then traveled to Harvard Westlake on Oct. 21 to take on the Wolverines. The Aqua Cubs were unable to generate an offensive presence against Harvard-Westlake’s defense. The Cubs were able to score two goals in the late stages of the game; however, they still lost by a final score of 12-2.
Following the match against Harvard-Westlake, the Cubs traveled to their farthest tournament of the season, the North South Tournament at Sacred Heart Prep near San Francisco. Going 3-1 overall in the tournament, the Cubs earned a fifth place finish. The No. 3 Cubs then turned their attention to their next game against the No. 1 ranked Mater Dei Monarchs in a top five matchup.
The Cubs shocked the Monarchs in an 8-7 upset on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Seven players contributed to the eight goals scored in the game, led by a pair of goals by senior Mac Carey.
The Cubs were up 8-6 at the end of the third quarter sustained a lead through the fourth quarter due to a series of blocks made by starting senior goalie Will Rubschlager.
The win against Mater Dei gave the players the confidence they needed going into the CIF playoffs. Jack Wilson, a senior who recently committed to play at Brown University, said, “I think the [Mater Dei] game showed us that we have what it takes to play at a high level and beat any team out there.”
The Cubs beat the Notre Dame Knights by a score of 19-1 on Nov. 4. Tonight Loyola faces Mira Costa in their final game of the regular season. The first round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs will begin on Nov. 11.
