The atmosphere was charged as the Spartan girls hit the water last Thursday to challenge one of the region’s top teams. The starting lineup in the outdoor Strake Jesuit pool with the sun bright but sinking: senior co-captains Ashley Cooper and goalie Caroline Smith along with senior Gwendolyn Beach were joined by juniors Emma Jackson and Lily Askounis, and sophomores Avery Garcia and Hana Riley. Each contributing hustle, forced turnovers, quality offense and defense; Smith, powerful in goal. 0-2 at the end of the first quarter.

Second quarter dawned strong with senior Ashley Cardin, sophomore Sarah Beth Roady, and freshmen Lilli Oteiza and Molly Kate Minyard joining play. Lots of shots on goal by the Spartans but none connecting until a long bomb pass from Jackson to Askounis mid period resulted in the first Stratford goal. Multiple forced turnovers by Garcia and Jackson and a monster save by Smith kept the score a manageable 1-4 at the half.

Sarah Beth Roady won the swim-in at the top of the third for possession, freshman Elizabeth Conner wowed the crowd with a power block in the field, gritty hustle came from freshman Leah Claire (LC) Nall, and a steal by Lily Askounis converted into the second Spartan goal of the game. Goalie Caroline Smith made four monster saves and outstanding defensive play is credited to Ashley Cooper, Conner, and Roady.

Fourth quarter was a score fest for the Spartans: Emma Jackson passed cross-field to Elizabeth Conner for the freshman’s second goal of the season; Jackson fought long and hard in a face-off with the St Agnes goalie and came out victorious with a goal; and Gwen Beach scored the third goal of the quarter with a muscle-y 5-meter penalty shot. Lots of offensive and defensive hustle from Cooper and Beach. A highlight of the period was the entry of freshman Emmie Hanvey in the goal box and Caroline Smith taking the field. Hanvey held her own, recording multiple saves and Smith made blocks from the field. Cardin, Minyard, Oteiza, Roady, Nall, Riley, and Hanvey closed out the game with solid defensive play right through to the buzzer. Teamwork, hustle and determination were demonstrated in the 5-9 loss to St. Agnes. Heads held high!

Busy week coming up: Senior Night game v Spring Woods at WW Emmons Wednesday at 5:15 pm, a rematch against Memorial Friday at 6:15 pm at the SBISD nat and a JV tournament game at Strake on Saturday morning.