The Varsity Boys squared off against Lamar. They had a hard-fought defensive battle. Lamar scored 34 seconds into the game to take the quick 1-0 lead, but it would be another 3 minutes before another goal was scored. Andy Zhuri continued his season-long stretch of outstanding play in goal with numerous saves, including taking a couple off the face, but he just continued to hang tough. Unfortunately, Lamar snuck a second goal in with 3:34 to go in the period. Parker Kooyman finally got Stratford on the board with a really nice goal with 1:20 to go, and the period would end with Lamar up 2-1.

In the second period, the Spartans scored first on a great goal by Bryce Oliphant to tie the game. Lamar answered 2 minutes later with a goal and followed that up 2 minutes after that with another goal to take a 4-2 lead into halftime. It was not looking good for the Spartans when Lamar scored early in the 3rd period to take a 5-2 lead. The defenses were stout for about 3 minutes before the Spartans came alive. Luke Barber found the back of the net on a 5-meter shot with 2:03 left, and then Parker Kooyman scored again less than minute later on a great assist from Lucas Storey. Lamar then scored a goal of their own, but the Spartans answered almost immediately on Kyle Brown’s first goal of the game and the Spartans closed out the period with another Parker Kooyman goal with only :05 left that knotted the score at 6 apiece.

The final period was a real battle with the defenses for both team playing really tough physical water polo. Kyle Brown completely locked down Lamar’s inside scoring threats and led the Spartan defense as the game went back and forth. Lucas Storey got in on the scoring with a rifle shot from about 7 meters out, and then Luke Barber added a 5-meter goal. Unfortunately, Lamar was able to answer with 2 goals of their own in the period which meant we were all knotted up at 8-8 at the end of regulation, which sent the Spartans to their first overtime game of the year.

The new UIL OT format has the teams playing two 3 minute OT periods. Both teams continued their inspired defensive play in the OT period, but Kyle Brown was finally able to break through for the Spartans with 1:01 to go in the first period, and the Spartans had a 1-goal lead at the end of the 1st OT period. During the second OT period, Kyle continued to lead the ferocious Spartan defense, who continued to hold Lamar scoreless for the entire second OT period as well. Kyle would add the Spartans final goal with :26 remaining,  and the Spartans climbed out of the pool with a hard fought 10-8 victory. Kyle Brown’s 3 goals and incredible defense really led the way, and Parker Kooyman’s 3 goals were also instrumental, but this really was a true team win as so many different boys contributed in a big way at different moments in the game.

The Boys will host Deer Park this Tuesday at the Spring Branch Natatorium in their final pre-district match up.