Marauders lose 8-7 to Rangers
It’s hard to imagine there will be a better championship water polo game regardless of division than the one played between the Redwood and Monache girls teams Thursday night at Golden West.
The top-seeded Rangers (29-2, 12-0 WYL) and the second-seeded Marauders (24-8, 7-1 EYL) matched each other goal for goal for four quarters and then into sudden-death overtime of the CIF Central Section Division II championship contest.
In the end, Redwood sophomore Alex Roberts, who had just won the swim off to start sudden-death, powered the ball into the upper corner of the goal just out of reach of diving MHS sophomore goalie Claire Schrein to end the game 8-7.
Despite the loss, it was hard for Monache coach Brandon Weaver and his co-east Yosemite League championship team to not smile.
“It doesn’t feel like a loss and that is how athletics I think should be,” Weaver said. “Both teams played so well that it was enjoyable to coach and it was enjoyable to see your team that has worked so hard play so well together.”
The final score came 20 seconds into suddendeath and gave the Rangers, champs of the West Yosemite League, their third Valley title in girls water polo, their first since winning back-toback championships in 2007 and 2008 while in Div. III. It was the only goal of the game for Roberts, who struggled with her shot from the wing nearly all night.
Monache was seeking its first Valley title in girls water polo.
“We would have liked to have been on the winning side of that, but as far as championship games go it’s hard to be disappointed,” Weaver said. “Going in to sudden-death, against the No. 1 seed, they are a very strong team, and we matched them, and I think that is a great credit to us.”
Neither team scored in the first overtime period, but both teams scored once in the second overtime period to force sudden-death play. Redwood sophomore Skylar Ford scored from 5 meters out 12 seconds into the second 3-minute overtime period.
A minute later, Marauders junior Emily Adame knotted the game at 7 with a long shot from the top.
In regulation, the Marauders came out fast and posted a 3-0 lead with 1:50 left in the first quarter.
“Redwood we knew had speed on us,” Weaver said. “We knew we had to come out swinging so to speak and we were able to do that. We caught them off guard.”
MHS senior Dalaine Beardsly scored two of her team-high three goals in the first period. The first on a lob over Redwood senior goalie Katie Nelson that just scooted across the goal line for a 2-0 lead and the second on another rainbow lob and a 3-0 advantage.
Emily Chapman opened the game for Monache with a goal after tracking down the rebound shot of Beardsly with 5:15 left in the quarter.
Redwood’s Emma Peters scored at the end of the period and two minutes into the second period to bring Redwood within 3-2.
Maddy Chapman assisted on a goal by Beardsly from the wing to push Monache’s lead to 4-2 with 3:45 left in the half.
Senior Alyssa Harrington answered for Redwood with under 2 minutes before halftime.
On the next possession, Adame found Maddy Chapman free for a shot and goal from nearly 7 meters out, sending Monache into the break with a 5-3 lead.
Redwood regrouped after the intermission and within the opening minutes of the third tied the game at 5 on two man-up goals from Ford.
“There coach made some great adjustments with matchups and once the two teams were matched up it was kind of a dog fight the rest of the night,” Weaver said.
Peters scored on a man-up, their third of the quarter, to give the Rangers their first lead of the game 6-5 with 3:01 to play. Ford and Peters led the Rangers with three goals each.
Emily Chapman scored on a 5-meter penalty shot with :52 left in the third quarter to knot the game at 6.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, despite each having man-up opportunities, setting up the memorable finish.
Monache could make a deep playoff run next year. They lose only three seniors to graduation — Dalaine and Mason Beardsly and Rayleen Jensen.
Monache may not be done yet. The Marauders could possibly move on to the CIF Regional Championship tournament. Brackets for the tournament will be made available Sunday evening according to the CIF State website.
“I don’t think I could have scripted it any better, maybe with a sudden-death win tonight,” Weaver said of the season. “As far as seasons go, it’s nothing to be down about. And hopefully, the season is not over.”