Boys’ water polo denied CCS after 10-9 OT loss to Homestead

After finishing first in regular league play, the Falcons’ water polo team suffered a heartbreaking loss to rival Homestead 10-9 in overtime in the league tournament finals on Nov. 7.

Because only one team from the El Camino League advances to CCS, the Falcons did not qualify for CCS. Saratoga and Homestead have had three close games this season, with the Falcons winning 9-5 on Sept. 29 and losing 12-11 on Oct. 20 in overtime and sudden death.

The action of the third meeting between the teams started with two quick goals from seniors Mason Lee and Graham Schmelzer. Homestead quickly responded in the second quarter to take a 4-3 lead going into halftime. The Mustangs continued to dominate in the third quarter, scoring three goals and making the score 7-3 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter started with both teams exchanging goals. The Falcons picked up the pace with Lee, Schmelzer and senior Noah Quanrud all scoring to tie the game at 8-8 with less than 30 seconds left.

In a stunning sequence, senior Paul Maier of Homestead responded by scoring with less than a second left. Coach Courtney Crase then called a timeout to set up a Hail Mary play. Senior Mason Lee, setting up from half-pool, lobbed the ball to senior hole set Davis Robertson, who miraculously tipped the ball just over Homestead’s goalie in the top left corner as time expired to force overtime with the score tied 8-8.

Overtime consists of two 3-minute halves; if the score is tied, the game goes into sudden death, where the first team to score wins. Lee started overtime with a quick goal to continue their momentum. However, Homestead responded with two goals, including one in the last possession of the first overtime. The Falcons were shut down in the second half of overtime.

Senior Graham Schmelzer scored four goals and Lee had three. Senior Noah Quanrud and junior David Nguyen both added one. Quanrud made multiple key blocks and steals and Schmelzer drew three ejections.

“We gave it everything we got and fought extremely hard but just didn’t come out on top,” Lee said.

In the second round of the tournament on Nov. 5, the team cruised by Fremont 13-2. Lee led the team with five goals, and Schmelzer and senior Arnav Pawar both added two. The Falcons also crushed Milpitas 17-0 in the first round of the tournament on Nov. 4.