WALNUT — The Bonita High School boys water polo team triumphed over Temecula Valley in a gripping final, securing the CIF Southern Section Division 3 title with a narrow 10-9 victory on November 15, 2025. This win marks the eighth championship in the program’s history, solidifying Bonita’s reputation in California high school water polo.
The matchup at Mt. San Antonio College was a rematch of a previous semifinal encounter two years prior, where Bonita also emerged victorious. Head Coach Dillon Unsoeld expressed respect for Temecula Valley, noting they had defeated several strong teams to reach the finals. “We definitely didn’t overlook them. We knew it was going to be a battle,” he stated.
Bonita maintained the lead throughout the match, never trailing but never pulling away by more than three goals. The team’s highest leads were at 5-2 and 6-3. As the game progressed, Temecula Valley fought back, tying the score at 8-8 with a goal from Hayden Dablaing with just over four minutes remaining.
In a dramatic turn, Bonita scored twice, with Gary Watson and Antonio Finianos each contributing to a 10-8 lead with just over two minutes left. The Golden Bears responded, with senior Connor Liu narrowing the gap to 10-9 with a goal 34.5 seconds before the final whistle.
The closing seconds were tense as Bonita attempted to run out the clock. Temecula Valley called a timeout with five seconds to go, setting up one last play. Coach Zachary Miller entrusted the final shot to his captain, Chase Wedell, yet the attempt went wide, allowing Bonita to regain possession and secure the victory.
“It was just like, ‘holy cow. This is unreal,’” said Bonita senior goalkeeper Julian Falk, who was key to the team’s defense. Falk had faced significant challenges this season, recovering from a torn UCL that sidelined him for the entire regular season. “The brace takes away all the pain. I really wanted to come back,” he noted, reflecting on his arduous return to the sport.
Leading the scoring for Bonita was Jeffry Heaton, who netted four goals, while Finianos contributed three. Liu was the standout for Temecula Valley with four goals of his own.
Despite the loss, Coach Miller praised his team’s resilience, stating, “That’s just been our year all along. Our motto was, ‘sacrifice for the guy next to you.’ We wanted it; we just came down a little short.”
This victory not only reinforces Bonita’s place in high school water polo but also highlights the competitive spirit displayed by both teams throughout the season, creating an unforgettable championship experience for players and supporters alike.
