The Santana (Santee, CA) varsity water polo team will play a home playoff game against Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo, CA) today at 5 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF SoCal Boys Water Polo Championships – Division II tournament.

Capistrano Valley vs Santana Water Polo Game Info:

What: California High School Water Polo
Who: Capistrano Valley vs Santana
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: 5 p.m.
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Game preview: Capistrano Valley vs Santana

The high school boys’ water polo season has been nothing short of exciting, with two powerhouse teams, Capistrano Valley and Santana, preparing for an intense showdown. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with distinct styles and strengths that will make this match one to watch.

Team Overview and Record Breakdown

Capistrano Valley enters the match with an overall record of 16-12, boasting a .571 win percentage. The team has been strong in non-league games, securing a 9-3 record at home and a respectable 7-3 record in neutral-site games. However, their performance in league play has been more challenging, with a 1-7 record. The team has managed to score a total of 379 goals while conceding 311, showing they can put up points but also have areas to improve defensively.

In contrast, Santana has been dominant this season with a 23-6 overall record, achieving a remarkable .793 win percentage. Santana has been perfect in league play, going 5-0, and their away record stands at 6-1. Their offensive strength has been evident, scoring 387 goals against 276 conceded. Santana’s defense, combined with their ability to finish strong, has made them a force to be reckoned with.

Scoring Averages and Key Performance Indicators

Looking deeper into the scoring trends, Capistrano Valley averages 13.5 goals per game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the third (3.7 goals). Their offense is consistent, particularly as the game progresses, but they will need to elevate their performance in the early quarters if they hope to keep pace with Santana.

Santana, on the other hand, has a similar overall goal average of 13.3, but their fourth-quarter performance is impressive, scoring an average of 7.0 goals in the final period. This late-game surge makes them a formidable opponent, and Capistrano Valley will need to focus on maintaining a strong defense throughout the entire game to contain Santana’s potent offensive attack.

Common Opponents

When comparing both teams against common opponents, Santana comes out on top, with an 8-1 record against teams both have faced, compared to Capistrano Valley’s 3-3 record. This suggests that Santana has had more success against teams of similar caliber, which could provide them with a mental edge going into the matchup.

Some notable games between common opponents include:

• Point Loma: Both teams faced Point Loma, with Santana emerging victorious 13-12, while Capistrano Valley fell just short in a 16-15 loss.
• Grossmont: Both teams dominated Grossmont, with Santana winning 17-7 and 13-4, and Capistrano Valley winning 14-2.
• Righetti: Santana secured a 15-14 win over Righetti, while Capistrano Valley lost by a single point, 10-9.
• La Serna: In a thrilling contest, Santana won 9-6, while Capistrano Valley narrowly lost 13-12.

These head-to-head results highlight the consistency and effectiveness of Santana in high-stakes games, particularly in close matchups.

Head-to-Head Record and Playoff Implications

Interestingly, the two teams have not yet faced off head-to-head this season, which adds an element of unpredictability to the matchup. Both teams will be looking to prove themselves, not only for the victory but also as they gear up for potential playoff spots. Santana’s perfect league record and stellar non-league performance give them an edge in the rankings, but Capistrano Valley will be looking to play spoiler and demonstrate that they can compete with the best.

What to Expect

With Santana’s solid record and strong offensive capabilities, Capistrano Valley will need to rely on their defense and hope to capitalize on any opportunities in the early stages of the match. Santana, however, will likely come out strong in the fourth quarter, so Capistrano Valley must maintain their focus and composure throughout the game.

This matchup between Capistrano Valley and Santana will not only be a test of skill but also of resilience and determination. Fans can expect an exciting and hard-fought game that could go down to the wire, with the outcome hanging on which team can execute under pressure.

As both teams continue their journeys through the season, this game will be a critical turning point, especially for Capistrano Valley as they aim to improve their league record and for Santana as they aim to maintain their dominance.

Final Thoughts

This upcoming high school boys’ water polo game promises to be a thrilling contest with two teams that bring their own strengths and strategies to the pool. Santana may have the upper hand based on their overall performance this season, but Capistrano Valley has shown that they are capable of big wins. The game will be an exciting one to watch, full of fast-paced action, strategy, and the drive to win.