On a rain-soaked Saturday night, The Bishop School’s boys water polo team reclaimed its place at the top. The Knight’s beat Coronado 10-5 in the Division III CIF finals Nov. 20 at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex in La Jolla. “We had this really incredibly cohesive group of seniors this year who made it a goal to win,” said Bishop’s head coach Jim Fales. After raining for the entire morning and afternoon on this fateful Saturday, the water ceased to fall as the game proceeded under the lights. Then, in the fourth and final period the sky opened up and released a heavy downpour, adding to an already dramatic atmosphere. “It was a good omen I guess,” Fales said. With nerves abound on both sides, the game got off to a slow offensive start and at the end of the first quarter it was still a scoreless draw. The Islanders finally broke through with a goal moments into the second period for a 1-0 lead. “We kind of spaced out for a second and let their guy get too close,” said Knights’ goalkeeper JP Engh. “He shot cross cage, it was an okay shot but I probably should have had it.” Coronado awakened a sleeping Knights team with that first goal. Bishop’s senior Matt Michalko knotted the score when he flung a shot around a defender, who was draped all over him, and past the keeper. The Knights got their first lead 30 seconds later on a goal by Sean Barlow. Senior goal-scoring sensation Drew Hoffenberg scored the next two to give Bishop’s a 4-1 advantage. The Islanders scored with just 10 seconds left in the half to take some momentum heading into the break. Coronado scored early in the third period to get back to within a goal, 4-3. Then it was time for Hoffenberg to do what he does best under pressure. He tallied the next two goals and provided his team with some breathing room heading into the game’s final stretch. “We just kept pressing. They’re a great team but we got to them in the second half,” said Hoffenberg, who scored six times. “We slowly wore them down and finally we were able to break out.” The star performance was nothing new to Hoffenberg’s coaches and teammates. “He’s taken charge all season; he’s been our vocal leader all year,” Fales said. “This was his moment and we knew that going in. If I were a betting man I would never bet against Drew Hoffenberg.” After the final buzzer sounded the team and its coaches made a celebratory leap into the pool. They sang songs of victory in unison and embraced each other for a successful season. As the rain poured down on a group that was so disappointed a year ago when it failed to reach the finals, one couldn’t help but think this must be how redemption feels.
