Fontana High School’s boys water polo team secured their first CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship after a decisive 15-11 victory over Baldwin Park High School on November 15, 2025. The match, held at the Mt. San Antonio College Aquatic Center, marked a historic achievement for the Fontana program and showcased their impressive postseason performance.
The game began with Fontana establishing dominance early on, racing to a 4-0 lead within the first period. Senior utility player Matthew Zubiate was instrumental, scoring five goals and contributing six assists throughout the match. “We have all been playing together since our freshman or sophomore year,” Zubiate remarked. “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.”
Spencer Fernandes, Fontana’s head coach, celebrated the victory by jumping into the pool, overwhelmed with emotion. “This means everything to me, being here for as long as I have,” said Fernandes, who has led the program for 18 seasons. “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.”
Baldwin Park, also boasting a record of 23-8, attempted to rally after falling behind. They temporarily halted Fontana’s momentum with a penalty shot converted by Andrew Montanez with 56 seconds remaining in the first period. Despite several opportunities, including three power plays, Baldwin Park struggled to capitalize on their chances early in the game.
Fontana continued to build their lead, with Rene Segura netting three consecutive goals in the second period, bringing the score to 7-2. Baldwin Park fought back, with goals from Matthew Almaraz, Joseph Munoz, and Julian Munoz cutting the deficit to two goals at various points in the match.
The game remained competitive, with Baldwin Park’s Montanez scoring again, but Fontana’s response was swift. Zubiate and Gabriel Maldonado each scored in the final minute of the third quarter, extending Fontana’s lead to 10-6. The Steelers maintained their composure, executing critical plays down the stretch to secure their championship victory.
Overall, Fontana’s players demonstrated strong teamwork and resilience throughout the game, with several scoring multiple goals. In addition to Zubiate’s five goals, Maldonado and Damian Beltran each contributed three goals. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Jonathan Medina Rodriguez made eight crucial saves, helping to thwart Baldwin Park’s attempts to close the gap.
Baldwin Park’s Almaraz finished the match with four goals, while Montanez and Elian Mairen each added two. Despite the loss, Baldwin Park’s coach, Ricardo De Luna, remained optimistic about the season. “We made it to the end, but didn’t get the result we wanted,” he stated. “Overall, it was a successful season and something to build on going forward.”
This championship win not only highlights Fontana’s growing legacy in water polo but also serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of its athletes and coaching staff. As they celebrate this historic achievement, the team looks forward to new challenges and opportunities in the seasons to come.
