Robinson and Coleman score five goals as Live Oak opens CCS with
12-8 triumph Tuesday
MORGAN HILL — In recounting their one practice before Tuesday’s Central Coast Section playoff opener against Burlingame, Live Oak’s Danny Robinson and Stephan Saade sounded like they were describing their first workout of the water polo season, when the Acorns’ slate was clean.
“We were locked in Monday. We were excited,” said Robinson, who started both CCS quarterfinal games LOHS lost to Burlingame in 2007 and 2008. “We came in early and just stopped talking as soon as practice started. We were ready to get after it.”
Count the reasons why. Like those two painful defeats against the Panthers, Live Oak’s 2009 regular season left much to be desired. The Acorns finished 2-3 in Mount Hamilton Division matches and placed outside of the top two in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Tournament for the first time since they joined the super conference three years ago.
Their 12-10 overall record and No. 8 seeding for the Division II section tournament are impressive, but they don’t scream Live Oak.
“We wanted to put the regular season behind us; put the last two playoff games against Burlingame behind us. We haven’t played anywhere near the level we can play this year,” said Saade, the Acorns’ senior goalkeeper. “We had a lot to prove, absolutely.”
Live Oak did more than get revenge Tuesday against the No. 9-seeded Panthers. The Acorns rose to their potential, orchestrating an offensive and defensive clinic in a 12-8 triumph at Live Oak High.
The Acorns led by at least two goals the entire second half and did not crack smiles until senior utility man Cody Coleman netted his fifth goal on a 5-meter penalty shot with 12 seconds remaining.
“It’s nice to finally beat Burlingame. They’re a solid team and they’re solidly coached,” said Live Oak skipper Mack Haines, whose team will play No. 1 Sacred Heart in a quarterfinal match at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Prep. “I wasn’t comfortable until it was over.”
Robinson, a junior who played with determination at both ends of the pool, matched Coleman with a game-high five goals and two assists. Saade collected seven saves and deflected credit toward defensemen Alec Mainland and Connor Haines, plus the Acorns’ few reserves.
“The biggest part of our team is defense,” Saade said. “We don’t have a lot of depth, but the guys we have are solid.”
Live Oak appeared well in control after Robinson’s second goal. He intercepted a pass in Acorns territory, then sprinted away from the entire field on the way to burying a shot from 10 meters out with 27 seconds left before halftime. That pushed Live Oak ahead 5-3.
Two of Robinson’s other goals came on rebound shots.
“Their defense did take us out of our game, but we weren’t playing offense as well as we can,” Burlingame coach Mark Myers said. “Live Oak played with a little more intensity than what we saw the last two times in CCS.”
Coleman and Mainland combined for three goals on deep shots in the second half to help hold off the Panthers of the Peninsula Athletic League.
Robinson netted his final tally off of a pass from Coleman with 3:21 left in the third quarter, giving Live Oak it’s largest lead — 8-3 — of the night.
“We passed the ball really well tonight. It was one of our best games of the season,” Robinson said.
Casey Sullivan and Markus Gutierrez tallied three goals apiece to lead Burlingame (11-14).
The Panthers cut Live Oak’s lead to 10-8 on Sullivan’s skip shot for a score with 1:06 remaining, but the Acorns played keep away to run out the final minute. Robinson fed Connor Haines for an easy goal with 12 seconds left, and Coleman netted his 5-meter shot following a substitution infraction against Burlingame.
“It’s a great win,” Mack Haines said. “We’re still a very young team, but we showed great discipline tonight.”
GIRLS WATER POLO
No. 7 Live Oak 12, No. 10 Soquel 10
It wasn’t a cakewalk, but the Lady Acorns on Wednesday earned their fourth consecutive trip to the CCS quarterfinals, where they will try to reach the Division II semifinals for the first time in program history.
Katie Rick scored four goals, Marissa Sendejas netted three, and Sarah Sendejas and Sarah D’Angelo tallied two apiece for host Live Oak (19-4). Rachel Cretcher also scored for the Acorns, who led 8-5 at halftime.
Live Oak will play No. 2-seeded Castilleja at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart.
