Pali Sports Extra

Pali High Water Polo Sixth at Conejo Classic

September 11, 2016

Lucas Silva takes a shot Saturday against Notre Dame. / Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Palisades High has ruled the City in boys water polo the last four years, but this weekend’s Conejo Classic in Ventura County presented the Dolphins an opportunity to measure themselves against some of the best teams in the Southern Section.

The reigning City champions proved they belonged, finishing 3-2 to earn sixth place Saturday after taking first place in their bracket with two impressive wins Friday.

Gabby Feizbakhsh and Isai Quinn Godfredsen each scored three goals, Isai Elias had two goals, Theo Trask had one goal and seven steals, Maximo Speiser, Zeke Ramirez, Oliver Grant, Lucas Silva and Brandon Epp each added a goal and Epp made 15 saves to get Palisades off to a fast start with a 14-7 triumph over Oxnard Rio Mesa.

The second game pitted Palisades against Moorpark and the Dolphins prevailed 15-12 on the strength of seven goals and seven steals by Godfredsen and 14 combined saves by goalies Epp and Michail Melnik. Feizbakhsh had three goals and three steals, Silva had two goals and Trask, Zach Wunder and Orson Spence each added one.

“Beating Moorpark was huge because it’s a very good Division 2 team and we had six different guys score goals,” Pali High assistant coach Kirk Lazaruk said. “We were 7-for-8 on kickouts and our defensive strategies are better. We’re a lot grittier than last year.”

Melnik had 14 saves, Wunder scored twice and Grant scored once in Saturday’s early game, a 13-3 loss to Crescenta Valley. However, the Dolphins bounced back in the afternoon with a hardfought 12-9 win against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

Quinn Godfredsen scored seven goals Friday against Rio Mesa. / Steve Galluzzo — Quinn Godfredsen scored seven goals in Friday’s victory over Moorpark. / Steve Galluzzo

Epp made 18 saves and Feizbakhsh scored five goals, including two in the last three minutes to clinch victory. Godfredsen scored three goals and Silva added two, the second putting the Dolphins ahead 10-9 lead with 4:07 left in the fourth quarter.

Elias added one goal and three steals and Wunder also scored. The victory set up a rematch 90 minutes later versus Moorpark. This time, the Musketeers came out on top, 12-7, to take fifth place at Thousand Oaks High.

Epp made eight saves, Melnik had five and Elias had four steals. Feizbakhsh once again led the Dolphins in scoring with three goals and one assist. Silva, Ramirez, Wunder and Trask each added a goal for the Dolphins, who were exhausted after their third game of the day and fifth in two days.

“Fatigue was a huge factor in the last game but at full strength [yesterday] we beat them,” said Feizbakhsh, playing his first tournament in over a year. “This team is beyond my expectations. We have fun together outside of the pool and that makes us more cohesive in the water. Coach [Adam] Blakis has adjusted to what we have. Lucas and I can go into the hole and score, but we’ve worked on our driving and passing and everyone can score on this team.”

Palisades’ JV went 2-2 and also finished sixth, beating Granada Hills and Notre Dame.

The Dolphins will be back in the pool Wednesday for an intersectional matchup at Santa Monica, then participate in the 15th annual Malibu Tournament Thursday through Saturday at Malibu High.