RHS falls to a familiar foe
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers STOPPED IN THE SEMIS- Royal's TJ Suffolk looks for an open teammate during Wednesday's CIF-Southern Section Division IV semifinal match against Mira Costa at Pepperdine University. The Highlanders got behind early in the game and were unable to rebound, eventually losing 10-8.

If Steve Snyder had a choice, the Royal High boys' water polo head coach would probably like to cancel what seems to be an annual playoff game with Mira Costa High.

For the second straight year, the Highlanders couldn't get past Mira Costa in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV semifinals, this time losing 10-8 at Pepperdine University.

"I am really getting tired of losing to Mira Costa in the semifinals," Steve Snyder said. "We played better against them this year than we did last season, but it seems as if they are the hump we just can't get over."

Royal had a tough time stopping Mustang senior Matt Burton, who scored two of his gamehigh five goals in the first quarter to give MCHS an early 3-1 lead. Burton scored again in the first minute of the second quarter, and the Mustangs' lead grew to three goals.

The Highlanders started their comeback halfway through the second quarter when Snyder's sons, Barry and Scott, each scored to cut the lead to one. Royal looked to tie the game with 2:40 remaining in the first half, but Mira Costa goalkeeper David Olson made a save on a Barry Snyder shot to keep the Mustangs' lead intact.

Moments later, Mustang senior Mike O' Hare scored to give Mira Costa a 5-3 lead. A minute after that, Royal senior Brian Giegoldt scored to cut the lead to one. Not to be outdone, Burton answered right back with a goal of his own, and MCHS maintained its two-goal lead at the half.

A minute into the third quarter, Mustang senior Jonah Chodosh scored to increase the Mira Costa lead to 7-4. After Scott Snyder scored his teamleading third goal of the game with 2:44 left in the third, Chodosh scored again off a great pass from Burton to give MCHS an 8-5 lead at the end of three quarters.

Thirteen seconds into the final quarter, Royal junior Jordan Ritz cut into the Mustang lead when he scored off a great feed by Barry Snyder. Royal looked to score again moments later, but Giegoldt's shot hit the right post, and the Mustangs took advantage when Burton scored his fifth goal 20 seconds later to give MCHS a 9-6 lead.

With 5 minutes in the contest, Royal senior TJ Suffolk decided to take over by scoring two goals, one of them off his own rebound with 3 minutes remaining to put the score at 10-8.

Royal then received two big saves from senior goalkeeper Stash Dabrowski, the second on Burton with 2 minutes remaining. The saves would not be enough, however, as Royal could not find a way to score the rest of the game.

"One of our goals coming into this game was to not let their big players beat us," Steve Snyder said. "Obviously, we weren't able to do that with No. 21 (Burton) and No. 5 (Giery) having big games for them."

After the match, Dabrowski talked about his career at Royal.

"It's a little bit overwhelming that it's all over," Dabrowski said. "I've made some friendships here that will last a long time. I was hoping that a CIF championship would help solidify that we were a great team, but it just wasn't to be. It's disappointing that we lost, but I think we were just outmatched and outplayed."

The loss also meant it would be the last time senior Barry Snyder would play at Royal. He was a four-year starter for the Highlanders.

"When opposing teams realize Barry is our main guy, they just clamp all over him," Steve Snyder said. "Today they clamped on him so hard he was basically unable to move.

"This loss is very bittersweet for me because it's the last time I will coach Barry probably for the rest of my life. Not too many parents get to have the type of relationship I had for four years with Barry."

Scott Snyder said he will also miss having his brother around next season.

"Since we are so close in age we had a lot of disagreements, and there was a lot of jealousy and brotherly competition while we were playing together," Scott Snyder said.

"This season we came together more than in the past and worked hard on what was best for having the team do well. I'm going to miss having him here."

Although Barry Snyder said he wasn't sure where he will play in college next year, he said he'll miss playing at Royal.

"It was a fun four years," Barry Snyder said. "My dad always gave me good advice by telling me to never give up, and that goes for everything in life, not just water polo."