San Benito loses 13-7 to Menlo-Atherton
San Jose – San Benito stayed close for much of the early part of its Central Coast Section quarterfinal boys water polo match against Menlo-Atherton, but the Bears pulled away for a 13-7 win to end the ‘Balers season.
“We stuck together, no one ever really gave up,” said San Benito’s Dave Smith, who tied James Schafer for the team lead with three goals. “(Menlo-Atherton’s) a really good team.”
Solid defense by the ‘Balers and goalie Matt Thorpe kept the high-powered Bears from scoring for the game’s first three minutes.
But two goals in a 15-second span put them on top and they took a 3-0 lead before Rory Bloch scored with 14 seconds left in the first quarter.
Smith’s first goal early in the second made it 5-2 and Schafer answered a Menlo-Atherton goal with his first of the day to make it 6-3.
The Bears pushed the lead to 8-3 by halftime and San Benito wouldn’t get closer the rest of the way.
Schafer scored the ‘Balers lone goal of the third period and added another goal in the fourth and Smith scored the final two goals of the game to round out the scoring.
“We did the best we could with what we’ve got,” coach Tom Agan said. “The bottom line is there’s a reason M-A’s seeded No. 2.”
Despite the loss, the year will still go down as the most successful season in school history after San Benito won the Tri-County Athletic League title and hosted and won a CCS playoff game for the first time.
“It’s an honor to be here. I think the guys represented San Benito High School well in our first ever quarterfinals,” Agan said. “I’m real proud of Dave Smith. He was doing it all.”
“I’m just proud that we got past the first round,” Smith added. “It was everyone’s goal to be able to advance.”
