Paly boys water polo defeated Los Altos 9-8 in a comeback win to advance to the CCS Finals. 

Paly established themselves early, with senior Charles Ryans scoring three early goals that put the Vikings ahead. The lead was short lived, and Los Altos evened the score quickly. An even second and third quarter left the game tied entering the fourth. 

Unfocused gameplay from the Vikings early in the fourth quarter gave Los Altos a chance to put away two goals, leaving the score at 8-6 in Los Altos’s favor. With time running out, Paly needed a late rally to keep their hopes up for the CCS Championship. 

A perimeter goal from sophomore Jack Spitzer did just that, bringing Paly within one. Junior Roan Haney followed with another perimeter goal, equalizing for the Vikings late in the fourth. 

Haney’s heroics did not stop there however, and with 22 seconds left he scored the winning goal that put Paly into the CCS Championship. 

“Being down by two is a hard situation to be in, so coming back from a two goal deficit is something that I’m super happy we were able to do and I’m excited to move on to the finals,” Haney said. 

Paly takes on Hollister in the CCS Championship on Saturday.