San Bernardino's Patricia Aguilar Leads Cardinals to Historic CIF Title

Senior water polo player scores 6 goals, 5 on penalty shots, in championship victory.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Patricia Aguilar, a senior at San Bernardino High School, led her water polo team to their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship with a dominant performance, scoring a match-high 6 goals, including 5 on penalty shots, in a 13-3 victory over Edgewood.

Why it matters

This historic championship is a major accomplishment for the San Bernardino water polo program, which had never won a CIF title before. Aguilar's standout performance was crucial in securing the victory and bringing the school its second girls' sports championship ever, the first being in basketball in 1981.

The details

Aguilar scored most of her goals from the 5-meter spot, converting 5 of 6 penalty shots. Her 3 penalty goals in the second period helped San Bernardino take an 8-2 lead at halftime. The Cardinals will now advance to the CIF State regional playoffs, where they will face Granada Hills Charter on Tuesday night.

  • The CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship match was played on February 24, 2026.
  • San Bernardino will face Granada Hills Charter in the CIF State regional playoffs on February 28, 2026.

The players

Patricia Aguilar

A senior water polo player at San Bernardino High School who scored a match-high 6 goals, including 5 on penalty shots, to lead her team to their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship.

San Bernardino High School

A high school located in San Bernardino, California that won its first-ever CIF Southern Section girls' sports championship in water polo.

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What’s next

San Bernardino will face Granada Hills Charter in the CIF State regional playoffs on Tuesday, February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

Patricia Aguilar's standout performance in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship game helped secure a historic first-ever title for the San Bernardino High School water polo program, showcasing the team's talent and potential as they advance to the CIF State regional playoffs.