Defending champion Golden West looks to stay on top against talented field at 3C2A Men's Water Polo State Championships
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LONG BEACH - Most water polo fans are asking only one question heading into the 3C2A Men’s Water Polo Championship at Long Beach City College this weekend: can anyone stop Golden West from winning its eighth-consecutive state title? A host of top squads, led by north No. 1 West Valley, the state runner-up the last three years, hope to do just that. As the eight teams descend upon Long Beach, let’s look at each team and what they’ll bring to the tournament.
North No. 1 West Valley: 28-5, Coast Conference champions
State championships: six, last one 2010
The Vikings won their sixth NorCal title in seven years and are looking for their fourth consecutive championship game appearance. They are an offensive juggernaut, leading the 3C2A with 16.97 goals per game. Phil Portisch leads the way with 75 goals and 35 assists, followed by Ethan MacLeod’s 62 goals, 68 assists and 42 steals. Taine Pickering (56) and Mateja Cetkovic (53) also passed the 50-goal mark. Cetkovic also has 34 assists and 46 steals. WVC has two solid keepers, Will McKeon (18-4, 46 save %) and Ethan Ivey (10-1, 56.7%).
South No. 1 Golden West: 34-4, Orange Empire Conference champions
State championships: 30, winners of seven straight
The “all-gas-no-brakes” Rustlers, the 3C2A’s best men’s water polo team ever, are the odds-on favorite to capture their 8th-consecutive state title. The 2024 Rustlers are led by Michael Rodgers’ 71 goals, Tomas De Luca’s 66 assists and 41 goals. They feature a three-headed monster in goal with Pablo Souza (20-4, 59.2 save %), Boston Frost (7-0, 53.2 save %) and Jose Antonio Silva (6-0 , 54.5 Save %). Forget the stats, Golden West will bring the crowd and the swagger. It will be hard for whomever they play in each round to beat them.
North No. 2 American River: 22-9, Big 8 Conference champions
State championships: looking for their first title
The Beavers have posted one of the top seasons in their program’s history. They took West Valley to the limit in a 10-6 loss to the Vikings in the NorCal final and come to Long Beach with an experienced, physical team. Mateo Ruano is one of the state’s top players. He is second in the state with 110 goals and leads the Beavers with 37 assists and 46 steals. Keeper Bode Ferren has played every minute this year and has recorded 256 saves (47.3%).
South No. 2 Orange Coast: 21-12, Orange Coast Conference runner-up
State championships: two, last one in 1972
The Pirates can beat a team with a high-powered offense and/or some stellar defense. OCC advanced to the SoCal title game with an OT win over Long Beach and then gave Golden West fits before falling 12-10 in the regional final. Cade Zeilinger is one of the state’s top scorers with 73 goals entering the tournament. He’s followed by Carmelo Bangs’ 67 goals. Netminder Roman Christenot is 17-10 coming into the tournament with 225 saves (47.4 %).
North No. 3 Sierra: 12-14, 3rd in the Big 8 Conference
State championships: looking for their first state championship
The Wolverines are the north’s surprise squad. They held off Big 8 rival Diablo Valley 16-14 in a rugged double overtime NorCal 3rd-place game. Sierra is led offensively by Rhett Wildenradt (58 goals, 23 steals) and Chris McCarron (48 goals), who scored nine goals against DVC in the 3rd-place game. Sam Cortez minds the net for the Wolverines and has recorded 113 saves (42.6 %) on the year.
South No. 3 Long Beach City: 22-8, South Coast Conference champions
State championships: nine, last one in 2015
The Tigers, a perennial state powerhouse, feature the effervescent Sandro Pueyo, one of the 3C2A’s top players. Pueyo led the Tigers with 92 goals, 31 assists and 42 steals. In addition to Pueyo, Colley Ochoa (55) and Andrija Stankovic (51) also passed the 50-goal threshold. Netminder Diogo Checchinato has played all but two quarters this season and is 22-8 with 255 saves (50.2 save %).
North No. 4 Diablo Valley: 15-18, 5th in the Big 8 Conference
State championships: looking for their first title
The Vikings blasted Modesto 27-15 to open the NorCal playoffs before running into West Valley in the regional semifinals. DVC has a top player in Jackson Barnacal, who has 71 goals heading into the tournament. Shawn Canada leads the team with 37 steals and Ruairi Murphy is one of the state’s top netminders. Murphy, who has played every minute this year for the Vikings this year, has 249 saves and a 43.5 save %.
South No. 4 LA Valley: 17-11, Western State Conference runner-up
State championships: looking for their first state title
The Monarchs have the offense and goalkeeping to pose a threat to anyone in the tournament. Three players, Christian Perez (76), Colton Arnett (55) and Ryan Nevsky (52) found the back of the net 50 times or more. Arnett leads the team with 84 assists, and Chase Martoff has a team-high 53 steals. Sasha Mnatsakayan is the Monarch’s top goalkeeper, with a 42.1 save % and a 7-5 mark, while Narek Abedian is 7-0.
(Matt Folsom, CCCWPCA)