UPDATE: In a gripping contest, Soquel High’s boys water polo team fell to defending champions Sacred Heart Prep (SHP) of Atherton, with a score of 10-7 in the Central Coast Section playoffs. The match took place at Gilroy High on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the Open Division semifinals.
The No. 5 seed Knights, boasting an impressive record of 23-5 this season, led at halftime, holding a 6-5 advantage against the 17-time section champions. However, the Gators surged in the second half, outscoring Soquel 5-1 to secure their spot in the finals.
“Losing sucks, but I think we can take some positives away from tonight’s game,” said Knights coach Ryan Chapatte. “We showed up not just to compete; we had the attitude and mindset to win. That’s why we had the lead at half.”
Chapatte praised his team’s performance, particularly highlighting junior goalie Rafael Suarez-Abraham, who made crucial saves throughout the match, especially in the first half. Junior Sam Robertson led the Knights with three goals in the opening half, showcasing a well-executed offensive strategy.
The Knights, who are the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champions, made history by being the first team from Santa Cruz County to win an Open Division game earlier in the playoffs. They edged out No. 4 Los Gatos with a close 12-11 victory in the quarterfinals.
Despite the loss, Soquel’s season is not over. By reaching the semifinals, the Knights have qualified for the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs. Their division placement, seed, and first-round opponent will be announced on Sunday, with the opening round scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Looking ahead, Sacred Heart Prep (record 19-6) will face No. 2 Menlo (record 21-7) for the Open title on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. Menlo advanced by narrowly defeating No. 6 Saint Francis of Mountain View 8-7 in the other semifinal.
Chapatte remains optimistic about his team’s future, stating, “We executed our game plan on defense and did a great job of setting each other up.” The emotional impact of this match is palpable, as the Knights showed tremendous resilience against a formidable opponent.
Stay tuned for updates on Soquel’s journey in the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs as they aim to build on this historic season.
