WALNUT — Bonita High School’s boys water polo team clinched the CIF Southern Section Division 3 title by defeating Temecula Valley in a nail-biting match on November 15, 2025. The final score was 10-9, marking Bonita’s eighth championship title in the program’s history.
The match, held at Mt. San Antonio College, was a rematch of a semifinal game from two years prior, where Bonita had also emerged victorious. Temecula Valley, under the guidance of Coach Zachary Miller, was making its first appearance in the finals and came into the game with high hopes and a resilient spirit.
Bonita’s Head Coach, Dillon Unsoeld, praised the Golden Bears’ performance, stating, “They beat a lot of good teams to get here. We definitely didn’t overlook them. We knew it was going to be a battle.” Despite never trailing in the match, Bonita faced intense pressure from Temecula Valley, which tied the score at 8-8 with just over four minutes remaining.
The game was a showcase of skill and determination, with Bonita taking a lead of 5-2 at one point. However, Temecula Valley fought back, demonstrating their tenacity. Gary Watson and Antonio Finianos scored crucial goals for Bonita, extending their lead to 10-8 with just over two minutes left on the clock.
Temecula Valley responded quickly, as senior Connor Liu chipped in a goal, bringing the score to 10-9 with only 34.5 seconds remaining. The final moments of the match were electrifying, with Bonita attempting to run out the clock. After a timeout called by Temecula Valley with just five seconds left, the pressure mounted as they prepared for a final play.
Miller described the strategy, saying, “It (the play) was basically to put it in my captain’s hands. He’s been my trust guy from day one.” The shot, however, went wide, allowing Bonita to regain possession and run out the remaining seconds.
Senior goalie Julian Falk, who had a challenging season recovering from a torn UCL in his throwing arm, expressed his relief. “It was just like, ‘holy cow. This is unreal.’ I was just freaking out. My mind was all over the place. I’m just glad we won,” he said. Falk’s journey to recovery involved physical therapy that allowed him to return just in time for the championship game.
Bonita’s offense was led by Jeffry Heaton, who scored four goals, while Finianos contributed three goals. Liu was the standout player for Temecula Valley with four goals, showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams.
Reflecting on the victory, Unsoeld acknowledged the legacy of the program and the contributions of past coaches. “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,” he said.
Despite the loss, Miller remained proud of his team’s resilience, emphasizing their motto of sacrifice for one another. “That’s just been our year all along. Showing resilience. We wanted it; we just came down a little short,” he noted.
This thrilling championship match not only highlighted the skills of the players but also the emotional stakes involved, making it a memorable event for both schools and their supporters. The victory for Bonita solidifies their status as a powerhouse in boys water polo in the CIF Southern Section.
