EL SEGUNDO HERALD November 11, 2021 Page 3
El Segundo Eagles Bow out in the CIF Playoffs
By Gregg McMullin
The El Segundo Eagles’ fall sports seasons
have officially ended with the girl’s tennis
and boy’s water polo teams falling in the first
round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
The cross-country team’s consecutive team
appearances in the CIF-SS prelims and state
appearances ended with their third-place showing
The Eagles pose after their heartbreaking loss in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs. Photo by Lance Giroux.
See Eagles, page 6
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in the Pioneer League finals. The football
team’s season ended without an invite to the
postseason, while the girls’ volleyball season
had ended in the quarter-finals to Alemany,
the team that reached the finals.
Water Polo Team
Stymied in First Round
The Eagles ran the table in the Pioneer League
and were a combined 17-10 overall. It was the
program’s 37th league title dating back to their
first one in 1947. Their non-league schedule
was an arduous one that included facing 16
teams that reached the CIF-SS playoffs. The
Eagles were rewarded for their league title
by drawing a first-round CIF Southern Section
Division 2 at home against perhaps one
of the top teams in Division 2. The season
came to an end with a 16-12 defeat at the
hands of El Dorado.
While this was not an ending the Eagles had
hoped for, they pushed the 23-5 El Dorado
Hawks as few expected. At times the Eagles
seemed outmatched by the speed, strength and
experience of the Hawks. The Eagles were
slow in transition but never folded even when
down 15-4 early in the third quarter. The Eagles
mounted a staggering comeback by scoring
seven of the game’s final eight goals. Led by
senior Eeman Motalebbi, who tallied three
goals, and sophomore sensation Max Hale
who netted two goals, made it respectable.
The defense, led by sophomore goalie Luc
Giroux and a swarming team defense, shut
down the Hawks, limiting them to just one
goal in the last 12 minutes of play.
With the end of the season, the Eagles
say goodbye to three-year lettermen seniors
Nikhil Bahkta, Eeman Motalebbi and Kadin
McIlhargey, who demonstrated great leadership
throughout the season. The future appears
bright for this young Eagles squad, who will
return a strong group of underclassmen next
year. The nucleus of the offense will return
sophomore’s Max Hale (90 Goals), Logan
Fastman (40 goals), Nolan Barnett (21 goals)
as do outstanding freshmen Carter Williamson
(26 goals) and Vinny Baldino (15 goals) while
standout goalkeeper, Luc Giroux (250 saves),
returns to anchor the defense.
Girl’s Tennis Run
Comes to an End
The Eagles had a difficult path to reach
the CIF playoffs. After defeating Torrance in
a qualifier to snag a CIF playoff berth, they
had another play-in match to advance to the
first round. El Segundo had advanced to the
CIF-SS playoffs two years prior. In 2019 they
had played their way to the semi-finals. Their
gutty performances, to just get into the postseason,
were a testament to their determination
and athleticism. El Segundo would play their
league play-in match, wild card match, and
first-round match, all on the road.
Their wild card match against the Oxnard
Yellow-jackets meant a long road trip. The Lady
Eagles overcame the long bus ride and won
in crushing fashion 17-1. It was a total team
victory where each member had contributed.
The wild card match win meant they had
to travel the following day to Fullerton again
to play the Sunny Hills. The Lancers were
the second-seeded team and were undefeated
not only in the Freeway league but also on
the season. Unfortunately, the Eagles’ CIF
run came to an end with a 12-6 defeat. The
Eagles rallied valiantly, with the doubles team
of Sam Robert and Mina Kreski winning two
Nikhil Bahkta looks to score against El Dorado as Eeman Motalebbi looks on. Photo by Lance Giroux.
Sophomore goalie Luc Giroux had numerous saves against El Dorado, including this one. Photo by Lance Giroux.
The seniors from left to right: Katrina Smith, Sam Robert, Nora Green, Audrey CdeBaca, Lily Boutry, Kate Belson and Morgen Jackson.