Varsity Mens Water Polo played to a packed stadium on Wednesday (Sept 17, 2025) night as they battled the San Marin Mustangs to ultimate sweet victory with a final score of 17-15. The pressure was on the mighty Dons as the game was not only watched in person by Principal Shawn, but also by fantastic Varsity Womens players Ella Del Rosario & Lily Briones who were adding insider live-action Commentating while the game was streamed to fans on the YouTube channel Acalanes Stadium. (Special thanks also goes out to Adrian Last and Henry Rosenberg for technical assistance and camera-ship as they worked tirelessly to make the magic stream!)
The Mustangs came in red hot with expert play that made rough and choppy waters for the Dons out of the gate. At the Half, the score was 7-10 with the Dons underwater as they struggled to regain their incredible chemistry that has been such a hallmark for them this phenomenal season. Fortunately, that break was just what they needed to regain their moxie; Head Coach Nick Jordan knelt at poolside tirelessly as he exhorted his Team to remember their hundreds of hours of training and to fall back on their skilled set plays.
Re-inspired and focused, the Dons barreled into the 3rd Quarter with three quick goals in a row by Gunnar Grant (Fr.), Borna Koopah (Fr.) and Mason Schlehr (Sr.) along with a phenomenal block by Goalie Fisher Bradford-Urban (Jr.) Aiden Castro (Fr.) drew a 5m against the Mustangs at this crucial point when they were tied 10-10, and then let Koopah take the shot resulting in the Dons pulling ahead less than 3 minutes into the second half. The crowd roared and wept as the Mustangs got even 11-11 and then pulled ahead 11-12, until Gunnar Grant walked the ball in with a magnificent goal that tied us yet again 12-12. (It was at this point that Principal Shawn was no doubt wishing he brought some smelling salts to this most exciting Water Polo game that he has ever seen as Principal of Acalanes!) Castro then passed to Grant who scored again, bringing us ahead of the mighty Mustangs with a score of 13-12 when a 5m penalty shot was called against the Dons. Knowing the odds are most certainly never in a Goalie’s favor for a one-on-one 5 meter penalty shot, Acalanes fans leapt screaming to their feet as Goalie Bradford-Urban managed a spectacular block that saved our lead (it was then that Principal Shawn again wished he had smelling salts to hand to keeled-over Goalie Mom Mariah Bradford).
The 4th and final quarter was a nail biter with multiple exclusions, blocks, and goals as both teams dug deep to play at their highest possible level. 4th quarter goals were scored by Mason Schlehr (Sr.), Thomas Parrott (Sr.), Peter Endemann (So.), and Borna Koopah clinching our ultimate a hard-won 17-15 victory. Goals and Steals were also contributed by Alexandre Lavoie (So.) and Will Miller (Jr.), with a final Dons tally of 11 Assists, 13 Steals, 8 Ejections Drawn, and 17 Goals spanning the breadth of the roster.
This incredible Water Polo Team is headed to Napa today for the 2-day Varsity Vintage Tournament where they seek to beat their 2024 Bronze 3rd place finish and bring home the Gold 1st Place Trophy for 2025. And if there is any team that can do it, it is this years phenomenal Acalanes Varsity Mens Water Polo. FEAR THE BLUE!
