Menlo News September 06, 2025

Boys’ water polo third at 27th Scott Roche Invitational

Knights defeat Rio in final round

After an edge-of-your-seats semifinal, Menlo School boys’ water polo went 3-1 and finished third in the 27th Annual Scott Roche Invitational at Menlo School on Saturday.

After two convincing early-round wins, the Knights dropped its semifinal game but not without a fight, with two of Hunter Coleman’s nine goals pushing the game against eventual winner La Jolla to a second OT. After a 16-15 sudden-death win, La Jolla cruised to an 18-10 win over Soquel in the final to win its third Roche Invitational.

In the semifinal against LaJolla, Coleman finished with nine goals while senior Alex Stoffel had a goal and assisted on two more, and had two ejections earned.Lincoln Bott made three steals, and Burks posted 12 saves.

In the final game Saturday, Adam Afar tallied seven assists, two goals while Coleman scored twice and had three blocks. Andreas Profit also had three blocks and added a goal.. Burks finished with 60 saves for the week, including a win Tuesday over Tamalpais, and 21 in the win over Rio Americano.

27TH ANNUAL SCOTT ROCHE INVITATIONAL

Championship

La Jolla 18, Soquel 10

Third place

Menlo School 4, 2, 2, 1 = 9

Rio Americano 0, 2, 1, 1 = 4

Menlo goal scorers: Adam Afar 2, Calvin Barad, Alex Stoffel 3, Hunter Coleman 2, Andreas Profit

Menlo goalie saves: Connor Burks 21

Semifinals

Menlo School 5, 4, 3, 3, 0 = 15

La Jolla 3, 3, 6, 3, 1 = 16

Soquel 10, Rio Americano 9 (OT)