Menlo News October 25, 2022

WCAL: Girls’ water polo overturns St. Francis, falls by 1 in final

Knights beat St. Francis in third meeting this season, beats Valley Christian 16-3
Menlo sophomore Sofia Flierl posted two goals against Sacred Heart Prep

10.29. 2022 – In a 32-minute tug-of-war , the Menlo girls’ water polo team took the lead against Sacred Heart Prep with less than a minute left before falling 8-7 on a goal with 3 seconds left in the championship of the WCAL Tournament on Saturday.
WCAL final: Menlo 8, SHP 9 Credit: P. McKenneyNo. 3 seed Menlo (18-8) was just coming off a 10-8 victory over St. Francis in the semifinal, beating the Lancers in their last of three meetings this season.
With less than a minute left, junior Kenya Cassidy lofted in a goal to give the Knights an 8-7 advantage. The top seeded Gators would score with 3 seconds left to win.
Cassidy finished with a hat trick, assist and a steal while sophomore Sofia Flierl added two more goals, both in the fourth when she fired a shot right corner to tie the score with 5:26 left.
WCAL final: Menlo 8, SHP 9 Credit: P. McKenneyThree minutes later, she took a pass from junior Scarlett Gamble for a 7-6 advantage.
Knights senior Nyla Sharma played an incredible game in goal, making eight saves including two at close range.
Gamble finished with a goal and two assists while Malia Chavinson, a senior, scored and had a steal. Junior Kate Ward scored early and senior Erica Fenyo picked up an assist. Natalia Szczerba paced SHP with five goals including the winner.


Menlo 2 1 2 3 - 8
SHP 1 2 1 5 - 9
Goals – M: Kenya Cassidy 3, Sofia Flierl 2, Malia Chavinson, Scarlett Gamble, Kate Ward. SHP: Natalia Szczerba 5, Vivian Golub 3, Margaret Brandin. Assists – M: Gamble 2, Fenyo, Cassidy. Saves – M: Sharma 8.

Semifinal

Menlo 10, St. Francis 8

10.27.2022 – The Knights’ girls’ water polo team stunned host St. Francis on Thursday to advance to the WCAL Tournament semifinal.
Menlo (18-7) plays in Saturday’s final against today’s St. Ignatius-Sacred Heart Prep winner. The championship is set for 11a Saturday at St. Francis. 

Final: SHP 9, Menlo 8 Credit: P. McKenneyMenlo got two goals and four assists from junior Scarlett Gamble. Menlo senior Erica Fenyo posted a hat trick and made two steals.

Nyla Sharma was a force in goal all game long and collected 12 saves  and fellow senior Malia Chavinson, sophomore Sofia Flierl each scored twice. Junior Kenya Cassidy scored and assisted on two others.

Menlo took a 4-1 first-quarter lead then pushed to 6-3 at halftime. The Knights extended it to 9-3 entering the third quarter. 

Menlo 16, Valley Christian 3

10.25.2022 – Menlo girls’ water polo sailed to a 16-3 win over Valley Christian in the second round of the WCAL Tournament at home Tuesday.
Knights senior Malia Chavinson led seven scorers with four goals, two assists. Menlo junior Kenya Cassidy had four goals and sophomore Sofia Flierl made five steals, and had two goals and two assists. Seniors Nyla Sharma recorded 10 saves, and Erica Fenyo posted three steals, two goals, two assists while Kate Ward had three assistsThe Knights next play St. Ignatius - a 21-10 winner over Mitty, on Thursday at St. Francis.