All-Area Boys’ Water Polo Player of the Year: Goddard saves, Crescenta Valley scores more success

LA CRESCENTA — A steady stream of talented goalkeepers have come through the pipeline to play a major role in the history and tradition of the Crescenta Valley High boys’ water polo team.

Many of them have helped the Falcons win Pacific League championships and contend for CIF titles before picking up postseason recognition.

Logan Goddard aspired to be among a group that’s featured Danny Mock, Rane Colvin, George Vine, Sam Blum and Mike Hoy, among others. It’s something that Goddard never lost sight of while blocking shots with his long wing span.

“There are so many great goalies who have played here and you hear about a lot of the names,” said Goddard, a senior. “You just want to go out there and be the next in line to carry on the tradition.

“You hear about the stories of some of the great goalies while you are at practice and it’s amazing. I got to meet Danny Mock during the playoffs this season and he shared some of his experiences with me. It’s things like that that you will always remember.”

Goddard enjoyed a stellar final season with the Falcons, finishing with 238 saves. Crescenta Valley won the Pacific League championship before advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division IV championship match against Righetti. Goddard was named the league’s player of the year and topped it off by receiving All-CIF first-team honors.

It was because of those accomplishments that Goddard was selected the 2015 All-Area Boys’ Water Polo Player of the Year, as voted by the sportswriters of the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun.

After splitting the league championship with Glendale in 2014, Crescenta Valley appeared to have the pieces in place to challenge for another league crown in 2015. The Falcons had Goddard, Vasil Halchev, Wesley Hovanesian, Reagan Hesse, Brandon Fernandez and a group of supporting athletes in line to retain top status. Crescenta Valley went 26-7, 8-0 in league.

Top-seeded Crescenta Valley met second-seeded Hoover in the league tournament championship match at Burbank High on Nov. 5. The teams were tied at 5 entering the fourth quarter before Goddard made three of his eight saves in the final seven minutes to help the Falcons post an 8-5 win.

“That was a great game and everything seemed to come together,” said Goddard, who was brought up to the varsity team during his sophomore campaign. “We wanted to win league so bad and that was one of the best fourth quarters we put together. I think that boosted our confidence going into the playoffs.”

The Falcons were awarded the second seed in the playoffs and riding a wave of momentum. Crescenta Valley marched to the final after posting victories against Culver City (19-5), Arroyo Grande (7-6) and third-seeded Santa Monica (10-7) before meeting top-seeded defending champion Righetti in the title match at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine on Nov. 21.

Crescenta Valley made its fourth appearance in the program’s history in the championship match and the first since winning a Division VI title in 2008. Unfortunately for Goddard and the Falcons, they couldn’t contain Righetti’s formidable offense and sturdy defense and suffered an 11-2 defeat.

“It was such an amazing experience just to get to the final,” Goddard said. “We would have liked to have ended it on a winning note, but Righetti had so many great players and was a good team.

“It all started for us when we beat Hoover in the league final. The guys were pumped up and we figured we could go far in the playoffs. I got locked into a zone to the point where some days you feel like you can stop every shot. It’s a lot to do about anticipation and knowing in advance where the shooters like to go. So, you just have to know how to square up and make the save.”

Veteran Crescenta Valley Coach Jan Sakonju said Goddard handled himself well inside the cage.

“When we bring in a new goalie, we make sure to develop them properly and they have a complete understanding of the game,” Sakonju said. “With Logan, you could see he’s got that high IQ in understanding how teams attack our team. He’s got that knowledge of what the opponent will try to do.

“He’s got that physical and intellectual ability to make the save with such great hand-eye coordination. He’s very good at moving our defense around. I never worried about how he would perform. If he gives up a goal, he’ll blame himself. You like to see how players take accountability, whether it’s their mistake or not.”

The Falcons often played with confidence, knowing they could count on Goddard to make key saves.

“You know he’s always going to be super helpful,” senior hole/guard Julian Bartolome said. “He’ll tell you where the ball is while you are focused on who you are defending.

“I think he loves playing goalkeeper. You can see it during practice and in games.”

Goddard said he’ll relish what the Falcons were able to accomplish throughout the 2015 season.

“It just seemed like the season went by so fast, but there are going to be a lot of things I’ll remember about it,” Goddard said. “I got to play with some tremendous teammates and it was fun to come to practice and be around them.

“Also, you realize that it’s so hard and takes a lot of work to get to the CIF championship game. I hope I was able to help the program keep moving along.”