10-9 loss in quarterfinals ends playoff run for Live Oak
Morgan Hill – Live Oak just ran out of time.
In the quarter finals of the Central Coast Section boys water polo playoffs, the Acorns forced a turnover with less than 10 seconds to play, but couldn’t convert it into a goal, losing 10-9 to Valley Christian.
“We just didn’t have the right spot,” said Sam Cretcher of the near game-tying play. “were not in a good position to shoot.”
Live Oak had been down by two points inside 1:30 to play in the fourth quarter. Cretcher was able to beat the defense and pull the Acorns within one with 1:02 left to play.
Both sides traded possessions and Valley Christian found itself with the ball and 23 seconds to play.
Cameron Peachey was able to strip the ball away and drive to within feet of the goal.
He was surrounded by two defenders and the goalie and was unable to get a shot off as time expired.
Sophomore Steven Rick said he would have been surprised if the game had actually gone into overtime, but still lauded the efforts of his teammate.
“It was just the best we could do with what we had,” Rick said.
Head coach Mack Haines echoed the sentiment praising the way the boys played through out the game.
“We had an opportunity at the end,” Haines said. “The kids played their hearts out.”
From the onset, the Acorns found themselves behind.
But goals by Kyle Fast, Cretcher and Patrick Powers initially kept the Acorns knotted up with the Warriors until two late goals pulled Valley Christian up 5-3.
Live Oak was able to pull within one goal in the second quarter behind Fast who threw two shots into the net.
Valley Christian stayed on top with a goal by Matt Smith, who led all shooters with six goals.
The Warriors jumped back up by two when a shot hit Fast’s hand, redirecting the ball into the goal.
Peachey and Cretcher answered goals of their own to tie the score, but Smith fired back to put Valley Christian back up 8-7.
In the final quarter, Smith once again provided the Valley Christian shooting threat, driving two goals into the net. He was matched by Peachey and Cretcher, but the Acorns fell short by the one goal.
Haines said that through out the game Live Oak had opportunities to pull ahead, but was bested by Valley Christian’s defense.
“Speed was a factor,” Haines said. “Depth and speed. We had a much smaller bench than they did.
“We executed with we needed to, even at the end. Kyle Fast played a really strong game. They (all) did a good job.”
Live Oak ends what the team said was a successful season.
The Acorns, with six seniors on a 16 man squad, defeated former Tri County Athletic League rival San Benito earlier in the season.
They also downed Blossom Valley Athletic League champion Leland in the championship game of the league playoffs.
“I’m pleased with the season,” Haines said. “We had a lot of young kids.”
Rick said he would have liked to go further in CCS, but was still happy with the season as a whole.
“It was a good way to end a great season,” Rick said.
