After wins over the #3 seed in the quarter finals and the #2 seed in the semi finals, the 6th seeded boys’ water polo squad capped their story book playoff run with a 1 point victory over top ranked Sir Francis Drake High on November 14 at the Acalanes Aquatic Center.

Hailing from Marin County, Sir Francis Drake High School came into the game undefeated, with a record 29 wins and 0 losses.

But sometimes it’s the not the record that matters most in the post season. Going into the game, coach Miles Price said the Campolindo team was ready: “We were prepared and peaking at the right time.”

The game began with senior Captain Cole Stevens winning the sprint. Less than 2 minutes into the period, freshman Giorgio Alessandria scored the first goal of the night and only goal of the first period, though they had 7 attempts.

Senior Nikhil Suri managed to keep 5 of Drake’s 6 shots on goal out of the net.  The first period expired with the score tied, 1-1.

Stevens won the second sprint, and went on to score 2 goals in the 2nd period. Junior Peter Brassinga scored as well with an assist from senior captain Yuri Hanley, while Suri blocked 6 out of 8 attempts. At the end of the 2nd period the Cougars were riding a 2 point advantage, 4-2.

Stevens won his 3rd sprint of the night to open the 3rd period. Though unable to score in 5 attempts, the defense helped Campolindo maintain its lead. Suri blocked 5 out of 6 to help maintain the 4-3 advantage.

In the final period, Suri blocked 2 out of 3 attempts. Senior Cullen Jacuzzi scored for the Cougars to keep their lead, which held until the final buzzer.

“I’m just so proud of them,” said Price after the game, which ended with a final score of 5-4. “They’re such a solid group of guys.”

Campolindo has won 2 of the last 3 NCS championships.