Staff Writer
The boys varsity water polo team’s undefeated Bay League record was put to the test when it faced off against its rival Palos Verdes High School on Wednesday. The Mustangs defeated the Sea Kings, 17-9.
The Mustangs had to play without the company of three starting players in their first away game of the year.
“Our nerves were very high considering that Palos Verdes plays exceptionally well,” junior perimeter Dylan Linnell said.
Senior whole set Austin Norris and junior perimeter Andrew Todd both scored two goals in the first quarter, giving Costa a 4-0 lead. The Sea Kings rebutted with a score of their own. However, senior perimeter Drew Rogerson followed with a score to put the Mustangs up with a comfortable lead of 5-1 after the first period.
“We started out strong in the first period, with our strong defense leading to our offense and counterattack,” junior perimeter Kurt Hofmann said.
During the second quarter, Rogerson scored a buzzer-beating goal, followed by two additional goals during the third quarter from Rogerson.
A penalty shot by the Sea Kings threatened to change the momentum, but the Mustangs came back with goals by Norris and Todd. In the end, Costa came out victorious with a 17-9 win.
“For the most part, we let our emotions stay out of the game,” Linnell said. “Our team defense was spot on.”
The Mustangs have only lost two games this season in a tournament in Coronado.The team has reeled off five consecutive victories with a 12-2 record overall and a 5-0 record in Bay League.
“We knew we had to win the game,” Norris said. “So we did not let up.”
The Mustangs will compete in the South Bay Tournament this weekend at Mira Costa.
“We played a well-rounded game throughout all four quarters,” senior perimeter Gabe Smith said. “We showed them how Costa plays water polo.”
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