Sylvie Fine led Archie Williams high one a three-goal surge to start the second half of Wednesday’s playoff matchup against Las Lomas, as the Peregrine Falcons were determined to get one more title shot for their seniors.
But the second-seeded Falcons could not rally from an early deficit in a 12-9 loss to the No. 3 Knights in the North Coast Section Division I girls water polo semifinal at Redwood High.
“This senior class, top to bottom, is one of the most fun and engaging groups I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach,” said Archie Williams head coach Todd Duplanty, who trimmed his beard after a green dye job did not go as planned.
Las Lomas earns a title rematch against defending champion San Ramon Valley on Saturday. The Knights lost last year in the finals to the Wolves, who eliminated the Falcons in the semifinals. Archie Williams won the title in 2023.
“This was a good matchup for us. We were 1-1 against them coming in to today,” Duplanty said. “If we had come out at the start of the game like we did in the second half, it would have been a different story.”
The Falcons trailed 8-1 before Fine scored just before halftime to fire up the Falcons. She scored again quickly as the teams came out of the break and Elsa Kastner followed with the first of her two goals. Fine’s third goal of the night cut the score to 8-5 midway through the third quarter, but that was as close as the Falcons could get.
Nadya Wachelka scored twice for Archie Williams, while Holly Hovey and Taylor Fahy each added a goal.
- San Ramon Valley pushed past No. 4 Tam, 20-7, in its quest to defend its NCS title. Tam (21-8) lost to Las Lomas in last year’s semifinals.
- Fourth-seeded Marin Catholic fell to No. 1 Amador Valley in Wednesday’s NCS D-II girls semifinal matchup. Amador Valley will face No. 7 Alhambra for the title.
Boys water polo
Third-seeded San Marin secured a shot at the NCS D-II boys crown with Wednesday’s 15-7 victory over No. 2 Granada at Amador Valley. The Mustangs (18-9) are seeking the school’s first NCS water polo title. They will face the winner of Wednesday’s other semifinal between No. 5 James Logan and No. 9 Marin Academy.
Girls volleyball
Sawyer Zappelli had seven kills and two blocks as San Marin’s postseason run came to an end Tuesday night in the first round of the NorCal playoffs.
Brianna Nottingham added eight kills for the No. 15 Mustangs (19-20) against No. 2 Lincoln of San Francisco (34-8). Damen Heath had 16 assists and Alana Rolovich added four kills for San Marin which was making its second NorCal playoff appearance in program history.
