Updated on Nov. 9 to correct stats: Yotam Kariv scored two goals and Zach Dupree one.
The Piedmont High School boys water polo team cruised past Freedom-Oakley 17-9 in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division 2 playoffs on Nov. 6 at De La Salle.
The Highlanders are now 16-9 on the season. They advance to the second round where they will face Washington-Fremont at Livermore on Nov. 9 at 4:45 p.m.
“(We) looked good, played as a team,” Piedmont coach John Savage said of the win over the Falcons. “Charlie Wright defensively had a bunch of steals early which led to counter-attack opportunities.”
Wright had seven steals and a goal in the win. Elles Krieckenhaus led the offense with seven goals. Zach Dupree had one goal and an assist while Leo Hurwitz also scored three times. Henry Stein had two goals, two assists and two steals. Nick Riordan had a goal and two steals. Yotam Kariv had two goals and an assist. Luke McAuliffe had seven saves in goal and three steals.
Adam Boccia led Freedom with four goals. Joe Greer had two while Julian Morales, Brandon Criswell and Dominic Scott each scored one.
Piedmont got off to a quick lead, scoring the first four goals of the match over the first three minutes, 43 seconds. Riordan opened the scoring, followed by two goals from Krieckenhaus sandwiched around a goal by Dupree.
The Highlanders are seeded fourth and Washington is seeded fifth. The Huskies advanced with an 11-4 win over Dougherty Valley. The winner will face the winner of No. 1 seed Cardinal Newman against Novato. The semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 13.