BREAKING: In a thrilling showdown, Soquel High’s boys water polo team was defeated by the powerhouse Sacred Heart Prep, falling 10-7 in the Central Coast Section Open Division semifinals on November 2, 2023, at Gilroy High. Despite leading at halftime, the Knights succumbed to the defending champions’ relentless second-half push.
Soquel, the No. 5 seed with an impressive 23-5 overall record, managed to hold a narrow 6-5 lead at halftime. However, the 17-time section champions, Sacred Heart Prep (No. 1 seed, 19-6), rallied to outscore the Knights 5-1 in the second half, showcasing their championship experience.
Knights coach Ryan Chapatte expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating,
“Losing sucks, but I think we can take some positives away from tonight’s game. Our boys put up a great fight tonight and I couldn’t be more proud.”
The Knights showed resilience and strategy, with junior goalie Rafael Suarez-Abraham making crucial saves, particularly in the first half, and junior Sam Robertson netting three goals.
The Gators capitalized on Soquel’s foul troubles, taking advantage of extra-man opportunities that contributed significantly to their comeback. Chapatte noted,
“We did not have the same success against their zone. We weren’t getting open or setting each other up.”
This loss marks a historic achievement for Soquel, as they became the first team from Santa Cruz County to win a game in the Open Division, previously edging No. 4 Los Gatos 12-11 in the quarterfinals.
Despite the defeat, Soquel’s season is not over. Their semifinal appearance has secured them a spot in the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs. The Knights will learn their division placement, seed, and first-round opponent on November 5, 2023. The regional playoffs are set to begin on November 7, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Fans and supporters are eager to see how the Knights will build on this historic season as they prepare for the next challenge. Stay tuned for updates on Soquel’s journey in the regional playoffs!
