Four straight victories without a loss, including a 12-3 rout of
Gunn in the championship match on Saturday, earned the Live Oak
High boys water polo team the Palo Alto Invitational title last
weekend.
Four straight victories without a loss, including a 12-3 rout of Gunn in the championship match on Saturday, earned the Live Oak High boys water polo team the Palo Alto Invitational title last weekend.
Acorn coach Mack Haines said his team excelled in its defensive effort during the tourney.
“We played great defense all weekend long,” Haines said. “I was extremely pleased with how we played individual and team defense. We’re starting to build for (the postseason in) November. Now we just have to work harder.”
Live Oak (17-6 overall) was led in scoring and all-around play by senior Ryan Gautschi, who scored a team-high 25 goals and played stifling defense.
Haines called it the best and most complete performance of Gautschi’s career so far.
Teammate Justin Short added eight goals, and Corey Robinson and Bryson Bailey had five each.
In its opener, Live Oak beat Serra 13-5, then beat San Benito 13-3, and Monta Vista of Cupertino 11-3 to make the title match.
