Home Daily News Temecula Valley boys water polo team advances to CIF State regional finals – Press Enterprise

Temecula Valley boys water polo team advances to CIF State regional finals – Press Enterprise

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Tony Ramos
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Temecula Valley boys water polo team advances to CIF State regional finals – Press Enterprise

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Temecula Valley’s Connor Liu (10) takes a penalty shot against Cleveland in the CIF State Division III boys water polo regional semifinal match in Temecula on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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TEMECULA — Temecula Valley boys water polo coach Zachary Miller pointed to his wrist a few times during the fourth quarter.

Adding to a three-goal lead was not necessarily the goal. Substracting as much time from the clock became the prime objective.

And the players followed the instructions to a T. The Golden Bears used nearly every second of the shot clock down the stretch and put the finishing touches on a 12-7 victory over Cleveland of Reseda in Thursday’s CIF State Division III regional semifinal.

“They understand the importance of game management,” Miller said. “In this situation, we needed to use the clock the right way.”

Temecula Valley will take on Charter Oak for the regional title Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Mt. San Antonio College Aquatic Center.

The Golden Bears had to regain their focus following Saturday’s heartbreaking 10-9 loss to Bonita in the CIF Southern Section’s Division 3 title match. Temecula Valley opened up the regional playoffs Tuesday with a 16-9 victory over Granada Hills Charter.

“I feel like we have been able to put it behind us, but it still kind of hurts,” senior captain Chase Wedell said of the loss to Bonita. “Our practices this week have been intense. We don’t want to lose again, so I think we’re going to bring some fire on Saturday.”

Added Miller: “There’s nothing for these boys to hang their heads about. Every match they’re playing adds to a historic season.”

Temecula Valley never trailed Thursday evening and held a lead for all but 5 minutes of the match. Connor Liu got things started with a 5-meter penalty shot, and goals from Hayden d’Ablaing and Nicolai Sardina gave the Bears a 3-1 lead after one period.

Cleveland, the LA City Section’s Open Division champion, successfully slowed down the tempo during the opening half of play. The Cavaliers kept things close, as goals by Gregory Dzhigneyan and Arthur Petrosian cut their deficit to 5-4 at intermission.

Temecula Valley then stepped things up defensively, with Eric Vogt coming off the bench and providing pressure at the point.

“He was fantastic tonight,” Miller said of Vogt. “He’s one of those silent guys but gets it done when you give him a job to do.”

Cleveland used a drop defense throughout the match and field blocked several shots in the first half. Temecula Valley showed much more patience with its shot selection in the second half. Wedell and d’Ablaing each scored two goals in the third period.

Wedell and d’Ablaing combined for three more goals in the fourth quarter and tied for the match high with four goals apiece.

“We were able to move the ball around much better and see the openings,” Wedell said. “It really all comes down to execution.”

Sardina had a match-high four assists for the Golden Bears. Laszlo Nemeth anchored the defense with 10 saves in the cage.

Petrosian did his best to keep Cleveland in the match. He scored four goals Thursday, including two skips shots from distance.

Wedell said he and his teammates are feeling tired legs from a long season, but they will be ready to go Saturday afternoon.

“It’s tough on the body and we’re all pretty worn out,” Wedell said. “But we only have one more left, so we’ll give it all we got.”

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