The stands were packed with fans from both Ventura High School and Corona del Mar High School.  Alumni, current students, and family were ready to cheer on their Varsity boys in the CIF Quarterfinals for waterpolo.

The game started off with the bagpiper that has appeared for several games.  Soon after he finished, the buzzer sounded and the boys were off.  Junior Chase Watson scored the first goal of the game in the first two minutes, giving CdM a  lead as he quickly scored two more goals, one off of a nice pass from senior Jim Krolopp.

In the second quarter, senior Max Bergeson scored two goals, and seniors Justin Papa and Blake Terry each scored one.  CdM held a lead all throughout the first half, with Ventura behind one or two points.  However, during the third quarter, the game got much tougher.  Bergeson scored another goal, as well as Papa.  Junior Evan Ramsey played a very good game.  He scored twice in the third quarter, and played well both offensively and defensively.  At the end of the quarter, CdM and Ventura were tied, 11 to 11.

The last quarter was nerve wracking.  CdM and Ventura scored one right after the other, keeping the fans keyed up and the score very close.  Watson and Ramsey each scored one goal, and Bergeson scored two.  Bergeson made the game winning goal with 4.87 seconds left in the game, winning the quarterfinals 15 to 14.

CdM was awarded two penalty shots, one from Watson and one from Emory Molnar.  Bergeson took both shots, but Ventura’s goalie blocked them, one of the few to do so.  Junior Bruce Bearer played a nice game in goal, blocking 13 goals throughout the night.

“I think the game was closer than it should have been,” said senior Katie McCormick.  “But the boys kept in control the whole time and [were] patient, especially in the last play.”

CdM plays rival Newport Harbor for the third time in the semifinals on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.  The past two times they faced Harbor, CdM has played hard, but lost.