In a decisive match, the Mater Dei boys water polo team secured an 11-8 victory over Sage Hill, advancing to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals. The game took place on October 26, 2023, at Sage Hill in Newport Coast. This marks a significant achievement for Mater Dei, as it is the school’s first appearance in the section’s No. 2-ranked playoff division since 2009.
Strong Start for Mater Dei
The Monarchs, ranked third in the tournament, established dominance early by sprinting to a four-goal lead in the first quarter. They maintained control throughout the match, never allowing Sage Hill to close the gap to fewer than two goals. With this win, Mater Dei improves to 15-13 for the season and prepares to face No. 2 Harvard-Westlake in the semifinals on November 1, 2023.
Junior Ace Chen played a pivotal role, scoring all three of his goals in the first period, contributing to the Monarchs’ halftime lead of 8-4. Defender Noah Jurgensen was equally impressive, netting four of his five goals before the break. “We’re bringing just as much effort as we would have brought if we were in the Open Division,” Chen stated. “None of us are down about it. We’re all still excited to go try to win that Division 1 championship.”
Defensive Strategy and Future Prospects
First-year head coach Erik Zimmerman echoed Chen’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s relentless work ethic. “We just continue to grind and work hard,” he remarked. Mater Dei’s success in this match brought them closer to their eighth section title and showcased their strong defensive capabilities. They effectively contained Sage Hill’s leading scorer, Luke Weichert, limiting him to just one goal. Weichert had previously tallied six goals in the opening round against Yucaipa, making this performance particularly noteworthy.
The Monarchs’ defense was further bolstered by junior goalie Morgan Crichton, who recorded nine saves, including six crucial stops in the second half. This solid performance helped secure their lead as the game progressed. Meanwhile, Sage Hill’s offense was led by sophomores Bobby Ray and Aaden Hoang, who combined for five goals. The Lightning also had a strong showing from sophomore goalie Noah Rothbard, who made nine saves during the match.
Sage Hill’s coach, Pavle Filipovic, expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments. Reaching the Division 1 quarterfinals represents a significant step forward for the program, which achieved its first playoff victory this year. “It’s huge,” he said, highlighting the team’s growth and potential for the future.
As the tournament progresses, the other semifinal match will feature No. 1 Loyola hosting No. 4 Dos Pueblos. With the stakes high and competition fierce, Mater Dei aims to capitalize on its momentum as it heads into the next round.
