Crean Lutheran High School players listen to Coach Ed Carrera during a timeout in Thursday’s playoff match. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, Howard Lyon).
Crean Lutheran’s boys water polo team, top-seeded in the CIF Division 4 playoffs, was upset by Downey 7-5 Saturday afternoon in a quarterfinal round match.
The Saints were the defending CIF Division 6 champions. This year, they won their first league title going 5-0 in Empire League play, earned a bye in the first round of the CIF playoffs and defeated Malibu 10-4 in the second round Thursday.
“We fell short of our goal, but still a great season,” Coach Ed Carrera said. “We played uncharacteristically today, missed shots that we normally make but that’s the playoffs. The team that’s executing and healthy this point of the season is usually the one that wins.”
Captain and senior Tate FItzgerald led Crean Lutheran (26-3) with three goals, freshman Julian Amakasu had one goal, one assist and three steals.
Freshman Santana DelCastillo had one goal, one assist and two steals, freshman Dillon Chanove had two assists and senior goalie Ryan Goldstone had four saves and two steals.
“Mark DiPinto and Bobby Holmes (both sophomores) each had a blocked shot to keep us in the game,” said assistant coach Ryan Tunstall.
“I am proud of our team as we had a great regular season and clinched our first league championship as a program. I know our future is bright as a program.”
Downey (24-2) moves on to the semifinals Wednesday vs. Schurr.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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