Menlo News September 04, 2021

Water polo tops Acalanes in opener

Kiesling, Hilderbrand combine for nine goals

Menlo School boys’ water polo bounced back from a slow start to defeat visiting Acalanes in a season opener Saturday. 

After trailing 3-1 in the first quarter. the Knights went on a 12-5 run to beat the East Bay stronghold and, with the win, Menlo improves their all-time record against Acalanes to 7-3.

The scoring was led by junior Tommy Kiesling with five goals, and co-captain and senior Greg Hilderbrand with four. Juniors Ethan Babel and Michael Fang each contributed three assists. And with the graduation of All American goalkeeper Zayd Mahmoud (now playing at UC-Irvine) the goalkeeping duties are split between junior Finn Byrne and sophomore Cormac Mulloy, coming up with eight saves each.

“I’m loving this team,” said Menlo School Coach Jack Bowen, starting his 22nd year. “They’ve worked really hard all summer but also exhibit a real sense of joy and just have a lot of fun together. It was great to start against a strong team like Acalanes to be aware of both how good we are but, also, the many things we need to work on moving forward.”

Menlo starts league play at Serra on Wednesday and on Friday and Saturday they host the 23rd annual Scott Roche Tournament, which will feature many top teams throughout Northern California and San Diego. 

 

Menlo School      1  4   3  5 - 13
Acalanes             3  1   2   2 - 8

Scoring –  Jackson Kay, Ethan Babel, Tommy Kiesling 5, Greg Hilderbrand 4, Jack Murad 2
Saves: Finn Byrne 8, Cormac Mulloy 8.