For the first time in the history of the boys’ water polo program at Sacred Heart Prep, the Gators are back-to-back Central Coast Section champions. Sacred Heart, the No. 1 seed, wrapped up its second straight CCS championship on Saturday night with a 6-3 win over No. 2 Menlo.
With the win, the Gators (25-5) also avenged a loss to Menlo in the CCS championship in 2006, when Menlo defeated Sacred Heart 6-4.
For Sacred Heart, the biggest factor in their win was the play of junior goalie Ben Dearborn, who consistently denied Menlo’s attempts on goal. Dearborn only let in two natural goals with Menlo’s third coming on a penalty shot.
Dearborn was peppered by shots all night from Menlo’s attacks. By the end of the third quarter, Menlo (22-7) already had taken 24 shots. Yet Dearborn was able to parry away shot after shot, and frustrate Menlo’s offensive efforts. Dearborn finished with 17 saves.
— By Colin Becht
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