Sacred Heart Prep boys capture Nor Cal water polo title

In the championship match, Miramonte (17-11), seeded No. 3, took a 2-1 lead in the first period, but the Gators responded by scoring the next four goals, including a pair in a one-minute span that bridged the first and second periods. Harris’ first strike tied the game at 2-all with 31 seconds left in the first period, followed by a Luke Kirincich goal less than a minute into the second period to put SHP up 3-2. Andrew Spencer’s goal less than a minute later gave SHP a 4-2 lead. Harris’ second goal of the match came midway through the second period to put the Gators up 5-2.

Back-to-back Miramonte goals got the Matadors back in the match as they would trail 6-5 at halftime.

SHP maintained its one-goal lead after both teams scored three times in the third period. The Gators got some breathing room in the fourth, outscoring Miramonte 4-2 to take the championship.

Kirinchich added a pair of goals for SHP, while Tyler Hogan had three assists, as did Spencer. Oliver Marcin had only one goal, but he drew six ejections from his hole set position. SHP goalie Murdock Baker-Matsuoka came up big in the cage, finishing with 11 saves.

In the semifinals against De La Salle, SHP trailed 8-6 heading into the fourth period. The Gators were still down two goals, 10-8, with 2:44 left, but Spencer scored twice in the final 1:32, including the game-tying goal with 41 seconds left to force overtime.

DLS outscored SHP 2-1 in the first of two mandatory overtime periods, taking an 12-11 lead going into the second extra-time period. Marcin’s goal at the 2:12 mark tied the match at 12-all before Spencer scored the game winner with 42 seconds to play.

Marcin finished the semifinal match with a team-high four goals, with Spencer and Gates Gamble adding three apiece. Hogan had three assists agains DLS as well, while Harris added a pair of helpers. Baker-Matsuoka had 13 saves against the Spartans.

The Gators completed the season without losing to a team from Northern California.

SHP girls fall in semifinals

The Gators, which held a 9-6 lead going into the fourth quarter, could not close out Campolindo-Moraga, as the top-seeded Cougars outscored the third-seeded Gators 3-0 over the final seven minutes to eliminate SHP in the CIF Nor Cal Division I semifinals.

SHP (26-4) trailed 2-1 after the first period, but outscored Campolindo (21-8) 8-5 in the second and third quarters.

Vivian Golub led the SHP offense, scoring five times and assisting on a fifth. Natalia Sczczerba and Margaret Brandin each added a pair of goals for the Gators.

Campolindo would fall to rival and top seed Miramonte in the championship match, 10-5.