Jackie Whistler and Nika Burnett record hat tricks in 15-9 win
over Silver Creek
MORGAN HILL — Juniors Jackie Whistler and Nika Burnett recorded hat tricks Thursday, helping Sobrato girls water polo clinch its first division championship with a 15-9 triumph over visiting Silver Creek.
Eve Okamura and Melanie Jasper added two goals apiece for the Lady Bulldogs, who moved to 9-0 in Santa Teresa Division play with one league contest remaining.
“That was one of our goals this year, so it feels pretty good,” Sobrato coach Paul Harris said Friday. “We still have a lot to do.”
The Bulldogs still have plenty of time to warm up for the Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals tournament, where they will earn their school’s first Central Coast Section playoff berth. They play their final regular-season match on the road at 3 p.m. Thursday against Willow Glen — the only Santa Teresa squad that has challenged them this season — before taking part in a Halloween tournament that features some ‘A’-league teams, including the fifth-place team in the Mount Hamilton Division, Santa Teresa.
The BVAL tournament begins Nov. 5.
“We should get some good tests next week. I just want them to play good water polo,” said Harris, who guided the Sobrato boys water polo team to its first division crown a year ago. “They can’t play down to the level of their opponent. They have to be disciplined.”
