Northwood wins two more matches and Coach Kyle Kim-E celebrates 100th career win

Northwood players (from left) senior Ethan Chen, sophomore Michael Abshier, senior Danny Kim, and junior Iacopo Cagnoni join Coach Kyle Kim-E after he achieved his 100th career victory. (Photo courtesy Gabrielle Camacho, For OC Sports Zone)

Northwood’s boys water polo team captured two more victories this week, giving Coach Kyle Kim-E his 100th career victory. Kim-E, in his seventh year as the Timberwolves coach, has an overall record of 100-63.

“It has been a long journey since my first year of coaching in 2015, where we only won eight games that season,” Kim-E said. “At the end of the day though, it isn’t about the wins but the relationships I get to form with all of the athletes I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to coach. All of them were part of this journey and process and I’m thankful for them.

“Without all of their hard work and trust in the process, none of this would have been achievable. I’m looking forward to many more games with Northwood HS!”

In the first game of the week, Northwood and Tesoro went back and forth with the T’Wolves leading 8-6 at halftime before pulling away to win 17-11.

Sophomore Michael Abshier had 10 goals, junior Iacopo Cagnoni, senior Danny Kim and senior Ethan Chen had two goals each while senior Curtis Sung had one goal.

“Kim also impressed with an unselfish game and led the team with six assists,” Kim-E said.

Junior goalie Aditya Hari had seven saves.

Against Capistrano Valley, Northwood led 8-2 at halftime behind a strong defense and went on to win 15-6.

Freshman Dean Witt had a personal best and team high five goals. Abshier had three goals while Kim and Chen had two goals each. Senior Daivik Patel, Cagnoni and Sung each had one goal and Kim led the defense with six steals. Hari had five saves.

Northwood is back in action Monday to host Woodbridge in a Pacific Coast League match at 4 p.m.