Led by senior captain Conrad Kurth’s career-high eight goals, the Cate boys water polo team defeated cross-town rival Carpinteria 14-12 in an exciting game Friday afternoon at the Carpinteria community pool.
It was Cate’s first win against Carpinteria in at least five years. In front of a large pro-Warriors crowd, the two teams traded goals until Carp scored two unanswered, creating their largest lead of the game at 6-4. Behind Kurth’s sharp shooting and Brian Warren’s counter shots, Cate went on a massive 9-1 run, putting the score at 13-7 towards the end of the third quarter.
Carpinteria wouldn’t go quietly however, fighting back with a run of its own to narrow the lead to 13-11 with a little over three minutes to play. Led by senior captain Brett Diemer’s and senior Brent Bennett’s tenacious defense, Cate then took control, keeping cool against a very physical home team looking to stage one last run. The Rams wouldn’t be denied, with sophomore goalie Jacob Winnikoff sealing the win with some deft passing to control the clock as the game time expired.
“It was a terrific morale-booster for us as they head into Pacific View league play next Tuesday against Pacifica,” said Rams coach Nathan Alldredge.
With a record of 2-2, Cate’s offense has now scored 36 goals in the last two games, compared to the three of the first two.
CATE 14, CARPINTERIA 12
Cate goals — Kurth 8, Warren 3, Diemer 2, Whiting 1
