It did not take long until the Oaks Christian waterpolo team knew it would be a long afternoon in the “Shark Tank” earlier this month.
It was opening day of the Frontier League 2003. The game was at home in front of a large vocal crowd. At halftime the score was 10-2 in favor of Malibu. Hayden Goldberg, Nick Rollins and Joe Mahon led the offence.
By the end of the third period one of the Sharks’ top players, Cody Shirk, fouled out. A few moments later two other important players were gone as well, Brian Baker and Steven Gary.
With no subs in the fourth period, the remaining team played great. Jerry Wolf Duff Sellers put on a shooting show, Colby Trivette was tough and determined, Goldberg got quicker and more intense, Parker Mitchell stepped up huge, Rollins was scrappy, Mahon stayed steady and Matt Ochmanek had a great game in the goal and a blocked a 4-meter shot.
Final score: Malibu, 20; Oaks Christian, 6.
The following Friday’s game was against Carpinteria. That team also found themselves in “shark infested waters.” With another great crowd in attendance, the boys played very well. The Sharks came out strong and never looked back.
Sellers had another great game showing off his precise skills at shooting. Goldberg may have had his best game of the year, both offensively and defensively; and Shirk was tougher then ever up and down the pool.
Add to the mix the rest of a very determined team of Trivette, Baker, Mitchell, Rollins, Mahon, Gary and Ochmanek, and you have the formula for success. Each member of the team scored at least one goal.
Final score Malibu, 19; Carpinteria, 8.
Coach Mike Mulligan was very pleased with the performance of his team and is looking for the trend to continue.