The Live Oak boys varsity polo team can grind it out. After
losing the first game of the Palo Alto Invitational, the Acorns
came back to win their next four – bettering some top notch teams
in the area.
The Live Oak boys varsity polo team can grind it out. After losing the first game of the Palo Alto Invitational, the Acorns came back to win their next four – bettering some top notch teams in the area.
Ryan Gautschi led the team with 23 goals in tournament, and Devin Merchant had 11 goals.
Mike Mitchell and Justin Short also contributed with solid all-around games.
Live Oak (8-3, 1-0 TCAL) started off the tournament with an 11-8 loss to Gunn. The Acorns gave up several points early and then rallied back in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough.
“It was a much smaller pool, which doesn’t seem to play to our strengths right now,” said Live Oak coach Mack Haines. “It takes a lot more team work and more precise passing. We came out out a little unfocused.”
As the tournament started to go on, Live became more focused and was able to put away quality teams.
Live Oak defeated Los Gatos 15-5, and then on Saturday morning defeated San Lorenzo Valley 14-5.
“We came ready to play,” Haines said. “We played good defense and played a good game all around.”
For the next game, Live Oak moved to Lynbrook High School, which has a pool that is more to the Acorns liking, and defeated Menlo Atherton 8-6.
It was tied going into the fourth quarter before Gautschi scored a pair of goals.
“We showed the discipline and will to win, which was missing at all times last year,” Haines said.
Converted swimmer David Dunn even scored his first goal as an Acorn in the game. It came on a 6-on-5.
“He had a really solid game,” Haines said. “He was actually really tired at the end and was asking for a sub – something I didn’t think I would see.”
Live Oak showcased some late-game heroics in the final game against Serra, winning 9-8. This time the Acorns were down by two going into the final quarter. Justin Short scored the extra-man goal to tie the score, and Corey Robinson pushed in the winning goal.
Robinson had a couple nice hustle plays where he went after the ball and the goalie to get either 0a four-meter or a goal.
“I am pleased with the team’s maturation,” Haines said. “I am hoping to build on the last two games playing physical and tough. We had good play off the bench. We stood up in a couple tough games. It was good experience for us.”
Note: the Live Oak polo games on Wednesday against Carmel were moved around to allow the varsity games to be played before it gets dark. The varsity girls will go first at 3:30 p.m., and the varsity boys will go at 4:30. The JV girls team will follow and then the boys JV team will wrap it up.
