Soquel Knights Fall to Sacred Heart Prep in Water Polo Semifinals

In a closely contested match, Soquel High’s boys water polo team was defeated by Sacred Heart Prep (SHP) of Atherton, losing 10-7 in the Open Division semifinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs on March 14, 2024. The Knights, seeded No. 5, held a narrow lead at halftime, but the defending champions surged in the second half to secure their place in the finals.

Courageous Effort Against a Dominant Opponent

The Knights (23-5 overall) demonstrated resilience and skill against SHP, a team with a storied legacy of 17 Central Coast Section titles, having won 13 consecutive championships, including every Open title since the division’s inception in 2017. Soquel led 6-5 at the half, with junior Sam Robertson contributing three goals during the first two quarters.

Knights coach Ryan Chapatte expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “Losing sucks, but I think we can take some positives away from tonight’s game. We showed up not just to compete; we had the attitude and mindset to win.” Chapatte emphasized that such belief was crucial against a powerhouse like Sacred Heart.

Throughout the match, Soquel exhibited strong teamwork, notching assists on five of their first six goals. Junior goalie Rafael Suarez-Abraham made key saves, particularly in the first half, helping maintain the Knights’ lead.

Challenges in the Second Half

Despite their strong start, the Knights faced difficulties in the second half, where the Gators outscored them 5-1. Soquel encountered foul trouble, allowing SHP to capitalize on extra-man opportunities. Chapatte noted, “We did not have the same success against their zone. We weren’t getting open or setting each other up.”

This semifinal appearance marked a notable achievement for Soquel, as they advanced further in the Open Division than in any previous season. They became the first team from Santa Cruz County to win an Open Division game, edging No. 4 Los Gatos 12-11 in the quarterfinals.

Although the Knights’ journey in the Central Coast Section playoffs ended in the semifinals, their season is not over. By reaching this stage, Soquel has qualified for the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs. The Knights will learn their division placement, seed, and first-round opponent on Sunday, with the first round set to begin on March 19, 2024, at 17:00.