Mater Dei Catholic High School is the only Chula Vista school in the Mesa League with its own campus pool. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Crusaders have risen up the competition ranks over the last few years.
But that’s just one element in the success of this year’s Mater Dei Catholic team
The Crusaders defeated West Hills, 13-10, to capture the championship title of last weekend’s East County Invitational. It was a statement victory, adding to the team’s undefeated start in league play.
Ben Brown scored nine goals, four assists and 10 steals in the championship game and racked up 29 goals in the tournament to earn tournament MVP honors.
Mater Dei Catholic coach Guy Souza noted the Crusaders started the season 2-6 and have since rolled up nine consecutive victories to improve to 11-6, including 2-0 in Mesa League play.
Brown was consistent in both his offensive and defensive play throughout the tournament He had seven goals, five assists and nine steals in a 14-6 win over Monte Vista; tallied four goals, two assists and one steal in an 11-4 victory against Classical Academy; recorded five goals, five assists and five steals in an 18-8 win over Mira Mesa; and collected four goals, one assist and six steals in a 10-8 semifinal victory against Hilltop.
The Crusaders finished 5-0 in the tournament.
Both Mater Dei Catholic and West Hills are 11-6 on the season.
The semifinals featured two South County teams. The Crusaders shaded Hilltop in the semifinals to reach the championship game against the Wolf Pack.
The Lancers then defeated the Serra Conquistadors, 11-7, in the third-place game to give the Metro Conference two of the top three finishing teams in the tournament.
Hilltop finished 3-0 in pool play with victories against Mt. Miguel (20-2), San Dieguito Academy (7-6) and Escondido (12-5).
To further bolster the South County presence in the tournament, Mar Vista finished sixth in the medal standings.
Impressive.
New team dynamic leads Titans to 3-0 start in league play
The Eastlake Titans improved to 3-0 in Mesa League play following Tuesday’s 11-5 victory over the Mar Vista Mariners at the Las Palmas pool in National City. The win raised the team’s overall record to 5-12 following a challenging non-league schedule.
Tuesday’s game was tied 2-2 after the first period. The Titans had to wade through some anxious moments when the Mariners narrowed the score to 6-5 early in the second half.
“We’ve got to stick to our game plan and execute,” EHS head coach Austin Legg stressed.
Diego Schoet led Eastlake with four goals in Tuesday’s equally hotly contested match. Cayden Pangelinan had two goals while Juan Lopez, Ryan Geisen, Javier Nunez, Jason Wilder and Josh Randall each scored once.
Pangelinan also had two steals and three assists while Randall was credited with two steals and two assists. Derrod had eight saves.
Mar Vista dropped to 1-2 in league play, 5-11 overall.
Mater Dei Catholic kept pace with the Titans in the league standings by defeating visiting Bonita Vista, 18-4, on Tuesday for their 10th consecutive win. Both teams enter Thursday’s scheduled game at MDCHS with undefeated 3-0 league records.
In another Mesa League games on Tuesday, Otay Ranch defeated Hilltop, 8-6, behind the strong play of goalie Matt Olimski.
Boys Water Polo
Mesa League Standings
(Through Oct. 11)
Eastlake Titans 3-0
Mater Dei Catholic 3-0
Otay Ranch Mustangs 1-1
Bonita Vista Barons 0-2
Hilltop Lancers 0-3
Tiuesday, Oct. 11
Eastlake 11, Mar Vista 5
Mater Dei Catholic 18, Bonita Vista 4
Otay Ranch 8, Hilltop 6
Thursday, Oct. 6
Eastlake 9, Hilltop 8
Mater Dei Catholic 12, Mar VIsta 10
South Bay League Standings
(Through Oct. 11)
Olympian Eagles 2-0
Chula Vista Spartans 2-1
San Ysidro Cougars 1-1
Southwest Raiders 1-2
Castle Park Trojans 0-2
Montgomery Aztecs (non-league)
Tuesday, Oct. 11
San Ysidro 16, Chula Vista 7
Southwest 17, Castle Park 5
Thursday, Oct. 6
Chula Vista 13, Southwest 12
Castle Park 13, Montgomery 5
