Fontana High School’s boys water polo team achieved a historic victory by defeating Baldwin Park High School, securing the CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship. The match took place on November 15, 2025, at Mt. San Antonio College, where Fontana triumphed with a score of 15-11. This win marks the first section championship in the program’s history.
Following the match, Fontana’s head coach, Spencer Fernandes, expressed his emotions, stating, “This means everything to me, being here for as long as I have.” Fernandes has been at the helm of the program for 18 seasons, emphasizing the significance of this championship for the local community. “Our city and community is not a place that has produced a lot of high-level water polo teams or players. But this program has been able to carry that banner for the city over time,” he added.
The Steelers dominated the match, never trailing after the first 25 seconds. Senior utility player Matthew Zubiate delivered an outstanding performance, contributing five goals, six assists, and four steals. “We have all been playing together since our freshman or sophomore year,” Zubiate noted, highlighting the team’s chemistry. “This shows we were able to work together and give our best effort. I think the difference for us this year was we weren’t scared anymore going into the playoffs. We had confidence.”
Fontana’s postseason journey was remarkable, outscoring its first four playoff opponents by a combined total of 79-22. The championship match began with Fontana racing to an early 4-0 lead, thanks to Zubiate and Gabriel Maldonado, who each scored two goals in the opening period.
Baldwin Park was also striving for a historic win, but struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. With 56 seconds remaining in the first period, Andrew Montanez converted a penalty shot, temporarily halting Fontana’s momentum. However, Baldwin Park failed to convert three early power plays, which proved crucial. “Our slow start really affected the whole game,” said Baldwin Park coach Ricardo De Luna. “That set the tone because we were always playing from behind.”
In the second period, Fontana extended its lead to 7-2, highlighted by a natural hat trick from Rene Segura. Despite Baldwin Park’s efforts to close the gap, with goals from Montanez, Matthew Almaraz, and Joseph Munoz cutting the deficit to two goals at various points, Fontana responded effectively. They ended the third quarter with a 10-6 advantage, thanks to additional goals from Zubiate and Maldonado.
The Steelers continued their dominance in the fourth quarter, scoring three unanswered goals early on, which solidified their victory. In total, Maldonado netted four goals, while Segura and Damian Beltran each contributed three goals. Fontana’s goalkeeper, Jonathan Medina Rodriguez, made eight saves to secure the win.
For Baldwin Park, Almaraz led the scoring with four goals, while Montanez and Elian Mairen each added two. Coach De Luna reflected on the season, stating, “We made it to the end, but didn’t get the result we wanted. Overall, it was a successful season and something to build on going forward.”
This championship not only highlights Fontana’s athletic prowess but also serves as an inspiration for the local community, showcasing the potential for growth in water polo within the region.
