The Bonita High School boys water polo team secured the CIF Southern Section Division 3 title with a narrow 10-9 victory against Temecula Valley on November 15, 2025. The championship match took place at Mt. San Antonio College, where Bonita held the lead throughout the game but faced fierce competition from the Golden Bears.
This victory marks the eighth CIF-SS title in Bonita’s history, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in the division. In contrast, Temecula Valley was making its first finals appearance and demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill throughout the match.
Bonita’s Head Coach, Dillon Unsoeld, praised the efforts of both teams, acknowledging the competitive nature of the championship. “They beat a lot of good teams to get here,” he said. “We definitely didn’t overlook them. We knew it was going to be a battle. Hats off to them, it literally came down to the last five seconds. I’m just happy we came out on top.”
From the outset, Bonita maintained control, never trailing but also never leading by more than three goals. They reached a score of 5-2 and 6-3 at different points in the game. However, Temecula Valley fought back, tying the game at 8-8 with a goal from Hayden Dablaing with just over four minutes remaining.
Bonita’s Gary Watson and Antonio Finianos responded by scoring two consecutive goals, pushing the score to 10-8. Temecula Valley’s Connor Liu kept the pressure on with a tip-in goal, bringing the score to 10-9 with only 34.5 seconds left on the clock.
The final moments were intense, with Bonita managing to run down the clock after regaining possession. Temecula Valley called a timeout with just five seconds remaining, aiming to set up a final play. Coach Zachary Miller had confidence in his captain, Chase Wedell, to take the decisive shot. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, the shot missed its target, and Bonita secured the win as the clock expired.
Bonita’s senior goalkeeper, Julian Falk, expressed his relief at the victory, recalling the tension of the final seconds. “It was just like, ‘holy cow. This is unreal.’ I was just freaking out,” Falk said. “My mind was all over the place. I’m just glad we won.” Falk’s journey to the finals was particularly remarkable, as he had missed the entire regular season due to a torn UCL in his throwing arm.
In the match, Bonita was led by Jeffry Heaton, who scored four goals, while Finianos contributed three. Liu emerged as a standout for Temecula Valley, also scoring four goals, showcasing his talent and determination.
Reflecting on the championship experience, Unsoeld noted the legacy of success at Bonita. “There are a lot of people who have coached there before me who have had a lot of success,” he stated. “I feel like I’m at the table, a little bit, with them. We had a lot of success a couple of years ago. I’m happy we were able to back it up this year.”
Despite the loss, Coach Miller emphasized the spirit of his team. “That’s just been our year all along. Showing resilience. Our motto was, ‘sacrifice for the guy next to you.’ We wanted it, we just came down a little short,” he remarked.
The championship match not only highlighted the competitive nature of high school water polo but also showcased the dedication and talent of the young athletes involved. As the season concludes, both teams can take pride in their achievements and the future of the sport.
