BREAKING: Soquel High’s boys water polo team faced a heartbreaking defeat against the powerhouse Sacred Heart Prep (SHP) of Atherton in the Central Coast Section playoffs on July 15, 2023. The No. 5 seed Knights led by a goal at halftime but succumbed to the defending champions in a nail-biting 10-7 loss during the Open Division semifinals at Gilroy High.
This match was a testament to the Knights’ determination, as they surged to a 23-5 overall record. Soquel was aiming to disrupt SHP’s dominance, having won an astonishing 13 consecutive section titles, including every Open Division championship since its inception in 2017. Knights coach Ryan Chapatte expressed pride in his team’s effort, stating, “We showed up not just to compete; we had the attitude and mindset to win, and that’s huge.”
Despite leading 6-5 at halftime, the Knights struggled in the second half, with the Gators outscoring them 5-1. Chapatte noted, “Our offense went stagnant,” as Soquel faced foul trouble and SHP capitalized on extra-man opportunities. Junior goalie Rafael Suarez-Abraham made crucial saves, while junior Sam Robertson scored three goals in the first half, setting a strong offensive tone.
Looking ahead, Sacred Heart Prep (19-6) will face off against No. 2 Menlo (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 matchup.
Despite the loss, Soquel’s season is not over. By reaching the semifinals, they have secured a spot in the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs. The Knights will discover their division placement, seed, and first-round opponent on Sunday, with the first round set to commence on Tuesday at 5 p.m..
The Knights’ performance in the semifinals marks a significant achievement, as they became the first team from Santa Cruz County to win an Open Division game in the playoffs, edging No. 4 Los Gatos 12-11 in the quarterfinals. Coach Chapatte emphasized the importance of belief and teamwork, stating, “We were doing a great job of setting each other up.”
This thrilling semifinal showcases the intense competition in California high school water polo and highlights the potential for future matchups as Soquel continues its journey in the regional playoffs. Fans are eager to see how the Knights will respond after this challenging yet inspiring defeat.
