Mater Dei boys water polo stifled by Loyola in CIF-SS Division 1 final

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WALNUT — Rain and wind engulfed the pool. Mater Dei’s opponent in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys water polo final whipped up a suffocating defense. Frustration and disappointment set in for the Monarchs but those weren’t their only emotions.

Mater Dei found a few positives after falling to top-seeded Loyola 9-2 at Mt. SAC on Saturday.

Playing for a third coach in as many seasons, Mater Dei (16-14) noted the inexperience in the field it overcame to reach its first section championship match since 2017.

The Monarchs emerged from the challenging Trinity League to face off against Loyola (17-12), which claimed its second Division 1 crown in five seasons.

“It’s not a true reflection of who we are as a team,” Mater Dei goalie Morgan Crichton said of the loss. “I’m really happy in the direction we’re headed. I don’t think we should hang our heads low on this one.”

“I know what we’re capable of,” the junior added. “I know we can come back stronger.”

Mater Dei defender Noah Jurgensen agreed. The senior, who is committed to UC Irvine, saw the progress the team made under first-year coach Erik Zimmerman, who took the reins just prior to the season.

“We went as far as we could,” said Jurgensen, who scored in the final. “I really don’t think we could have ended up here if it wasn’t for (Zimmerman). He really guided our character and play.”

Loyola’s defense dictated the result in the pool. The Cubs blanked third-seeded Mater Dei in the first half and didn’t allow a goal until Nicholas Valente scored on a perimeter shot off a foul with 1:54 left in the third period.

Loyola led 7-0 before the strike.

The Cubs used their field blocking and tight coverage of high-scoring Asa Chen to hold Mater Dei to 0 for 8 shooting from the field in the first half.

The Monarchs finished the match 0 for 8 on the power play and missed their only penalty shot.

Mater Dei averaged 12 goals in the playoffs entering Saturday.

“Today was just not our day,” said Zimmerman, whose team lost to Loyola 12-9 at the North-South Challenge last month. “The weather. … The guys just couldn’t find the net.”

“(Loyola) did a great job keying on Asa,” the coach added, “and frustrating our 1-2 side (left wing).”

Crichton’s play delivered another positive. The 6-foot-1 goalie made 12 saves, including five against Loyola’s man-advantage.

Marcus Wooler scored all of his match-high three goals on the power play to help the Cubs finish 4 for 8.

Freshman Francesco Pintaric and senior Tobin Hunt added two goals apiece for Loyola.

Mater Dei cited its inclusion in the upcoming CIF Southern California Regional as another source of hope.

“We can finish on a hopefully more positive note,” Zimmerman said.

“We might even get a chance to play (Loyola) again,” Jurgensen added.

In the regional,  Mater Dei will have junior attacker Jake Maniscalco (suspended for multiple ejections Saturday), Zimmerman said.