Story from the Glendale News-Press
Friday, November 2, 2001

Falcons a perfect 10
CV High boys' water polo teams wins 10th straight league
title with 12-7 victory against Arcadia.
By CHARLES RICH

ARCADIA -- David Mulcahey will seek advice by making a long-distance phone call to San Luis Obispo.
It doesn't concern the Crescenta Valley High boys' water polo player if it's an expensive bill, provided Mulcahey receives invaluable tips from former Falcons' star Jeff Little, who helped shape a dynasty.
Mulcahey cemented the dynasty Thursday as he scored five goals to lead CV to a 12-7 victory against host Arcadia in the Pacific League championship match and help the Falcons (13-10, 6-1 in league) record its 10th consecutive league title. "There's no replacing Jeff, and he was a great teammate," said Mulcahey, a senior driver who scored a pair of first-quarter goals within a 30-second span. "He's taught me a lot about the game, and we've practiced a few times together. I haven't talked to him in about a month."
He'll have plenty to converse about with Little, who attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and was selected the News-Press All-Area water polo Player of the Year in 2000, following Mulcahey's offensive surge Thursday.
Mulcahey, a third-year varsity player, has played an integral role in CV's success. He said this year's league title might have been the most difficult to snare.
"There wasn't much pressure the last two years to win league," Mulcahey said. "The pressure was immense this year because we had lost a lot of key players to graduation. Plus the league is getting better."
Mulcahey didn't have to reach far to cite an example. He scored the match-winning goal with no time left to give CV an 11-10 victory against upstart Glendale in a league semifinal contest Tuesday.
Mulcahey and teammate Ben Tickner, who also scored two first-quarter goals, made sure a last-minute victory wasn't necessary against Arcadia (14-11, 5-2 in league).
"We controlled the game by getting those early goals and then getting good defensive matchups," CV Coach Jan Sakonju said. "The pressure is always there to keep the league title streak going. It's a relief. We did a good job focusing on the match first and not the streak."
The Falcons will likely earn a high seed in the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs, which begin next week.

Glendale 18, Pasadena 12: Matt Hahn and Jonathan Lee each scored four goals to lead the Nitros (10-7, 5-2 in league) in a third-place match victory Thursday. Lars Speer scored a match-high six goals, and teammate Narbeh Amirian added three goals and three steals.
Glendale will participate in next week's postseason, likely earning a wild-card draw.

BOX SCORE CV*4*3*2*3*--*12 ARCADIA*0*3*3*1*--*7 CV -- Mulcahey 5 goals, Tickner 3, Besedick 2, Brown, Day. * Saves: Craney 8. ARCADIA -- Rangel 3 goals, Langendoen 3, Eamnarangkool. * Saves: Leung 16.