Soquel Knights Fall to Sacred Heart Prep in Semifinal Clash

The boys water polo team from Soquel High School faced a challenging match against the defending champions, Sacred Heart Prep, in the semifinals of the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs on March 15, 2024. Despite holding a narrow lead at halftime, the Knights ultimately succumbed to a strong second-half performance by the Gators, losing the match 10-7 at Gilroy High.

The No. 5 seed Knights began the game with determination, leading 6-5 at halftime. Ryan Chapatte, the Knights’ head coach, expressed pride in his team’s effort, stating, “Losing sucks, but I think we can take some positives away from tonight’s game. We showed up not just to compete; we had the attitude and mindset to win.” This approach was evident in their first-half performance, where junior Sam Robertson scored three goals, and the team assisted on five of their initial six goals.

As the match progressed, the defending champion Gators, seeded No. 1, rallied in the second half, demonstrating their championship experience. They outscored the Knights 5-1 in this period, capitalizing on Soquel’s foul troubles and taking advantage of extra-man opportunities. Chapatte noted that the Knights’ offense struggled against the Gators’ zone defense, stating, “We did not have the same success against their zone. We weren’t getting open or setting each other up.”

Despite the loss, Soquel’s performance marked a significant achievement for the program, as they reached the semifinals of the Open Division for the first time in five attempts. This year, the Knights also became the first team from Santa Cruz County to win an Open Division game, edging out No. 4 Los Gatos 12-11 in the quarterfinals.

With a season record of 23-5, the Knights are not yet finished. Their advancement to the semifinals secures their place in the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs. The team will learn its division placement, seed, and first-round opponent on Sunday, with the regional playoffs set to commence on Tuesday at 17:00.

Looking ahead, Soquel’s players and coaching staff remain optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming regional competition. Coach Chapatte emphasized the importance of their mindset, noting, “You’re not going to beat a team like 17-time CCS champ Sacred Heart if you don’t truly believe you can do it.” As the Knights prepare for their next challenge, they carry with them valuable lessons from this semifinal battle.