The Dolphins reclaimed their city championship on May 20 by beating Hamilton, 19-9. Macchio Rissone scored six goals and had two assists for Pali, ranked 919th nationally and 66th in California.
Coach Kevin Donavon said, “I think it was a good year, as I took over only a couple days before our first scrimmage. It took some time for myself and the players to get adjusted to each other, but I credit our players for sticking with me through the early growing pains.”
Photo: PaliHi Photography
Since there are only four teams in the City Section, Pali’s main challenge came from out-of-league teams such as Mira Costa, Palos Verdes and West Ranch.
“I am proud of the way the team grew together and developed over the year,” Donovan said. “We had a great record (16-3) and big wins over Brentwood, Culver City, Santa Monica and a double overtime win against El Segundo in the first round of the playoffs, but seeing the kids come ready to work every day and improve was the best thing for me.”
The Dolphins edged El Segundo, 11-10, to reach the playoffs as the 16th seed, but then lost 21-3 to No.1-ranked Palos Verdes in the Greater Los Angeles tournament.
Pali had only three seniors this season: Cooper Lee, David Paris and Orlando Piedrahita. Lee, who scored more than 40
points this season, will play for Colorado College (Division III) next year.
Donovan said his offensive MVP was sophomore Macchio Rissone, who scored more than 100 points and played well with his other sophomore attackmen, Jake Takakjian and Zane Daily. The coached called them his “trifecta.”
Midfield Brando Kay (junior) won more than 65 percent of his face-offs, and Donovan noted that freshmen Kyle Lee and Jack O’Rourke “developed rapidly this year.” Sophomore Liam Mathers won the defen- sive MVP award.
In the CIF Southern Section playoffs, No. 2-ranked Loyola beat St. Francis, Oaks Christian and Harvard-Westlake before edging Palos Verdes in the final, 7-6. The Cubs then defeated Corona Del Mar, 10- 6, in the Southern Section championship game on May 14. Loyola was ranked 40th nationally and 4th in the state.
By Sue Pascoe
Editor
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