Last Tuesday saw a crosstown matchup with HISD’s Lamar Texans. The Spartan Girls Water Polo Team put the press on fast and hard and never took off the gas. The first quarter set the tone with quick turnover steals by juniors Emma Jackson, Lily Askounis, and soph Sarah Beth Roady. Jackson forced a turnover that resulted in a faceoff with the Texans goalie. Goal Jackson! Co-captain seniors Ashley Cooper and Caroline Smith converted a crosscourt goalie pass into a near-shot point from Cooper. Freshman Elizabeth Conner contributed heads up offense. Sophomore Avery Garcia popped in a single in the first and Askounis scored on a rebound shot and took a pass from Jackson for a fastbreak second goal. 5-1 end of the first quarter.

Teamwork was written all over the pool for the rest of the game. Defensive and offensive hustle from senior Gwendolyn Beach and second-year Hana Riley kept control in the Spartan’s hands. Freshman Lilli Oteiza found her place in the second quarter impressively scoring on her own rebound. A powerful crosscourt pass from Beach to Askounis resulted in a 7-2 halftime score. Early in the third, first-year junior power swimmer Lindsay Wong continued her scrappy play forcing a Texan turnover and feeding the ball to Emma Jackson for a goal. Avery Garcia and Gwen Beach battled near the cage forcing a 5-meter penalty – shooting: Beach. Result: Goal! Jackson and Askounis continued their two-steppin’ ways with another Emma to Lily goal. Fresh Molly Kate Minyard and Leah Claire Nall forced turnovers and took shots on goal. Fourth quarter put freshman Bella Smith in the goalbox. Askounis and Riley played a nice game of keep-away that resulted in the final goal of the game, but not before a lot of hustle by senior Ashley Cardin, Beach, Conner, Garcia and a couple monster snuffs by Jackson and Oteiza.

Total saves in the game 11 with multiple WOW! saves from both Smith sisters.

Final score: Stratford 11 Lamar 5

Next up for the Stratford Girls Water Polo Team: Tomorrow, August 30 @ 6:15 pm v Deer Park at the SBISD W.W. Emmons Natatorium 10404 Tiger Trail 77043