In Menlo’s first year in the WCAL, it advanced to the league tournament final,  beating Bellarmine 11-10 in a tightly contested match Thursday. 

Menlo (19-7) evens its overall record with Bellarmine at 10-10.

Along with leading the team in goals, sophomore Greg Hilderbrand had 2 assists along with Connor MacMitchell and Jack Murad also with two assists, while senior center defender Jack King led in steals with 3.  Junior goalkeeper Zayd Mahmoud was strong in the cage with 11 saves; maybe even more impressive, Mahmoud led the team in assists from the goal, with four long distance passes leading directly to goals for the Knights.

“This is what’s great about switching into a league of this caliber,” Menlo Head Coach Jack Bowen said.  “It gives us a chance to prepare for CCS which is our main focus looking ahead. And it’s fun to see younger players like Hilderbrand come out and assert himself and allows Mahmoud to lay claim to being one of the top goalies in Northern California.  On top of that, we get to play in a championship game, under the lights, in just two nights.”

WCAL semifinals

Menlo School 2, 2, 4, 3 = 11
Bellarmine 1, 4, 2, 3 = 10
Menlo goal scorers: Connor Enright, Greg Hilderbrand 5, Chris Ponterio, Connor MacMitchell 4. Saves – M: Zayd Mahmoud 11

Menlo 17, Mitty 10

The Menlo boys’ water polo team defeated visiting Mitty 17-10 in the second round of the West Catholic Athletic League Tournament on Tuesday.

The Knights (18-7) took a 10-6 halftime lead. Sophomore Greg Hilderbrand scored six goals and junior Connor MacMitchell added five to lead seven scorers. Noah Housenbold scored twice and assisted on three others while fellow senior Jack King had four steals. Junior Zayd Mahmoud and senior Josh Poulos each collected five saves.

Menlo School       6  4   6  1 -  17
Archbishop Mitty  1  5   2  2  - 10

Scoring – MS: Connor Enright, Noah Housenbold 2, Dylan Bowers, Greg Hhilderbrand 6, Connor MacMitchell 5, Jack Murad, Tommy Kiesling. Saves –M: Zayd Mahmoud 5, Josh Poulos 5