Boys’ water polo returns for its second year in the El Camino Division of the Silicon Valley Athletic League after dropping down a league last year. However, this year the team has several reasons to be optimistic. After years of constant coach changes, the team will finally have a stable coach for the years to come as second-year coach Christian Bonner agreed to return to coach the team.

“Even though we lost some key seniors we still have a few returning players and [Bonner] is back as the coach, so we definitely have a shot,” said senior Kevin Rollinson.

Despite a 11-1 league record lastlast season, the team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Fremont in the final seconds of a league finalmatch for CCS qualification. This year, the boys are itching for redemption.

“We proved last year we can win this league, ” said senior Victor Wong. “Now it’s time to get it done.”

For the team to make CCS this year, they will have to place first overall in league games and the season-ending tournament. However, there is tough competition for the league crown, especially from rivals Fremont, Wilcox and Lynbrook.

“Since we have been playing in a lower league than previous years, we haven’t faced as much competition,” said sophomore player Eric Wang. “Lynbrook and Wilcox were our only rivals.”

Key players returning for another season include seniors John Chen, Rollinson, Wong, Kevin Yao and junior Tim Rollinson.

The team played its first game at Wilcox on Sept. 15, losing 20-9, but Bonner believes that the score does not accurately reflect the team’s performance.

“This was the first varsity game for many of the players and the ending score did not reflect the amazing effort I saw from the team,” said Bonner. “There are areas we really need to work on but it is still very early in the season.”

Leading scorers in the game were K. Rollinson with three goals and T. Rollinson with two. Captains were also announced before the game; Yao and Chen will take the leadership of the team for the remainder of the season.

After ending the first quarter with the Falcons down by three, two quick goals by T. Rollinson put the team behind by only one goal, but a collapse of the defense in the second half led to the overwhelming Wilcox victory. Furthermore, Yao was ejected for the rest of the game after three violations, leaving the team shorthanded. First-time goalie junior Gavin Peake proved his worth by saving two penalty shots and letting in few shots early in the game.

“Next time Wilcox is coming to our pool and we will have a lot more game experience,” said Chen. “It’s going to be a close game.”