Vaqueros, Sultans, Hillers get polo wins

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 22, 2026

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS WATER POLO

Fifth-rated Sultans with four victories last week; El Capitan improves to 8-2

EastCountySports.com staff report

EAST COUNTY — Santana packed six games, four victories and three one-goal decisions into its busiest week of the boys water polo season.

Every game was decided by three goals or fewer as the fifth-rated Sultans finished the week 4-2, defeating Poway, Alta Loma, Mater Dei and San Ramon Valley while losing narrow decisions to Corona del Mar and Huntington Beach.

Santana opened the week with a 13-10 victory over ninth-rated Poway before beginning a tournament stretch filled with close finishes.

Corona del Mar edged Santana, 12-11, but the Sultans responded the following day with victories over Alta Loma, 10-7, and Mater Dei, 8-7.

Santana split two more games Saturday. Huntington Beach slipped past the Sultans, 10-9, before Santana completed the week with a 15-12 victory over San Ramon Valley.

The results improved the Sultans to 9-5 overall and reinforced their standing among the county’s leading teams. Santana is rated fifth, immediately behind fourth-rated Helix, which was idle during the week.

VAQUEROS KEEP ROLLING

El Capitan continued its impressive start by defeating Sage Creek, 14-10, and San Pasqual, 16-10.

The two victories improved the 24th-rated Vaqueros to 8-2 overall.

El Capitan has won its last four reported games, also defeating Mar Vista and Pacific Ridge during the run. The Vaqueros have outscored those four opponents 55-30.

El Capitan has scored at least 10 goals in all eight of its victories.

FOOTHILLERS FINISH WITH THRILLER

Grossmont completed its tournament schedule with a 10-9 victory over Del Norte after playing another one-goal game earlier in the week.

The Foothillers nearly knocked off Point Loma before falling, 16-15. Grossmont also lost to Vista, 10-7, and Sage Hill, 15-10.

The victory over Del Norte gave the Foothillers a positive finish to a four-game week and improved their overall record to 3-10.

Grossmont’s win came one day after 16th-rated Valhalla defeated Del Norte, 14-8.

The Norsemen went 2-3 during the week, adding an 11-9 victory over Long Beach Poly.

All three of Valhalla’s losses were decided by three goals or fewer. Westview defeated the Norsemen, 12-9, Eastlake prevailed 13-10 and Bonita escaped with a 12-11 victory.

Valhalla’s 6-8 record has come against one of the more demanding schedules among East County teams.

POWAY POSTS THREE VICTORIES

Ninth-rated Poway recovered from its loss to Santana to finish the week with three victories in five games.

The Titans defeated Glendora, 16-8, Coronado, 15-9, and Sage Hill, 11-6. Poway’s other loss came against top-rated La Jolla, 17-7.

Poway completed the week with a 7-6 overall record.

AREA TEAMS ADD VICTORIES

Ramona improved to 4-3 with a 14-7 victory over West Hills, while Canyon Hills defeated Monte Vista, 17-12.

Mount Miguel recorded its second victory of the season by defeating Chula Vista Learning Community Charter, 11-5. The Matadors followed with a competitive 14-12 loss to Valley Center.

West Hills ended a difficult six-game week on a positive note with a 12-5 victory over San Dimas.

Three of the Wolf Pack’s five losses were decided by two goals or fewer. Mar Vista edged West Hills, 16-15, Etiwanda prevailed 10-8 and Buena Park won 9-8.

Granite Hills fell to Francis Parker, 12-9, while Steele Canyon dropped a 14-11 decision to Mission Bay. Monte Vista lost three games during the week.

Patrick Henry’s only game resulted in a 20-17 loss to La Jolla Country Day.

Grossmont Conference league competition begins Sept. 29.

Santana, Helix, Valhalla, Grossmont and Steele Canyon comprise the Grossmont Hills League. El Capitan, West Hills, Granite Hills, Monte Vista and Mount Miguel compete in the Grossmont Valley League.

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