Soquel Water Polo Teams Capture SCCAL Titles in Dominant Fashion

UPDATE: Soquel High’s boys and girls water polo teams have swept the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) titles, marking a significant achievement for both squads. The boys team claimed a decisive 15-10 victory over defending champions Santa Cruz High on Wednesday, while the girls dominated with a stunning 19-2 win against the same rival.

The boys’ triumph was led by senior Stryder Stelck, who scored four goals and delivered two assists. This victory capped a perfect league season for the Knights, who finished with a record of 20-3, 4-0 in league play. Knights coach Ryan Chapatte stated, “This is nice, but we’re not done yet. Now, we’ll get ready for playoffs and I think that’s going to be another battle.”

In a thrilling matchup at Soquel, the Knights overcame an early deficit to secure their victory. After Santa Cruz took the lead, Soquel responded with a five-goal run that set the tone for the rest of the match. Junior Gabriel Suarez-Abraham highlighted the win’s importance, saying, “It’s a really important win to show who we are as a team.”

The match was not without its intensity, featuring 12 ejections as both teams battled fiercely. Soquel’s offense was relentless, showcasing contributions from multiple players including senior Tanner Connors, who added three goals. Chapatte noted, “Our offense looked good. We had a lot of guys contribute… a 15-goal total, that’s high for us.”

On the girls’ side, Soquel High continued its dominance, securing its 15th consecutive league title with a resounding win over Santa Cruz. The Knights, ranked No. 2 in the Central Coast Section, exhibited a powerful performance, scoring 15 unanswered goals to finish the game. Coach Shelby White expressed satisfaction with her team’s execution, stating, “We’ve got a big weekend coming up… the girls stepped up and did that.”

Notably, the girls’ team saw contributions from several players, with juniors Elizabeth Penny, Makena Hansen, and Keira “Kiki” Burke each scoring three goals. The Knights dominated every phase of the game, with 21 steals showcasing their defensive prowess.

As both teams prepare for the upcoming playoffs, anticipation builds for potential rematches in the SCCAL Tournament. Soquel’s boys and girls teams will look to carry their momentum into the postseason, aiming to build on their league success.

Looking ahead, the boys will face No. 9 Los Altos on Saturday at 11 a.m., while the girls are set to compete in the NorCal Invitational at Palo Alto High, opening against Miramonte at 12:05 p.m. on Friday.

With both teams riding high on confidence and skill, the stakes are set for an exciting playoff season ahead.