San Benito boys beat Lynbrook for first playoff win in school
history
Hollister – It was a day of firsts for the San Benito High water polo program.
The school hosted Lynbrook in its first ever Central Coast Section home playoff game and the No. 7 seed ‘Balers didn’t disappoint the home crowd, beating the Vikings 17-4 to earn their first-ever CCS water polo win.
“I don’t think I can describe it in words,” senior goalie Matt Thorpe said. “To be in the first to do it in San Benito High history, just to know that your name and the names of guys you’ve played with will be on plaques, it’s crazy.”
San Benito (18-7) advances to the quarterfinals Saturday, where it will take on No. 2 Menlo-Atherton at Lynbrook.
“A lot of guys feel if we win this next game, we know we’re going to win the championship,” Thorpe said.
The ‘Balers got on the board early when senior James Schafer scored 21 seconds into the game. Jason Andrade made it 2-0 when he scored just more than a minute later.
Lynbrook showed some fire when its defense strengthened and Brandt Robinson fired in a goal midway through the first quarter to cut the deficit to 2-1.
But goals by Dave Smith and Jason Andrade made it 4-1 by the end of the first quarter. Blane Curtice scored twice early in the second and Smith had two goals in the period to stretch the lead.
Robinson scored his third goal of the game for the Vikings with six seconds left in the half to cut it to 9-4, but Lynbrook wouldn’t get any closer the rest of the way and San Benito shut out the Vikings in the second half.
“They’re defense was outstanding,” ‘Balers coach Tom Agan said of his team. “The press shut them down and it kind of demoralized them.”
The ‘Balers scored four goals in each of the final two periods to wrap up the lopsided win.
“Everyone was just really excited about this game,” Smith said. “Our team doesn’t usually go to CCS. This year, we actually pulled it together and worked really hard.”
Agan, who enjoyed his second victory dunk in the pool in as many games, said the chance to host a playoff game for the first time meant a lot to the players.
“It’s something they’ll never forget,” he said.
Smith led the team with five goals. Schafer, Andrade, Curtice and Rory Bloch all scored twice. Greg Valenzuela, Bruce Butler, Steve Larson and Adam Rianda all had a goal apiece.
While Saturday’s matchup against Menlo-Atherton will be a tough test, San Benito was taking its time to enjoy this historic win.
“At this point, it’s icing on the cake,” Agan said.
