It was another game-filled weekend for Water Polo: 1) they officially opened District 15 action on Friday and 2) hosted an area tournament on Saturday, with the girls playing three grueling games in less than 24 hours.

vs. Memorial

The crosstown rivalry was as intense as ever when Memorial and Stratford faced off for the first time this season in their shared home pool. The JV girls led off the evening of Spartans vs. ‘Stangs. Sophomore goalie Bella Smith was outstanding in the cage making 13 spectacular saves including a buzzer-beating block at the end of the first half. Freshman Jill Hyland showed finesse with her turn-around goal from mid pool on a pass from sophomore LC Nall in the second period. And freshman Emily Pace scored her first goal of the season on a pass from freshman Piper Barrow. The outcome wasn’t in Stratford’s favor, but the pool time was invaluable.

It was a heartbreaker for the Varsity girls who went into overtime in their battle against Memorial. Senior co-captain Lily Askounis started off scoring in the first period with a low shot on a pretty pass from sophomore Elizabeth Conner. 1-1 end of the first. It was a defensive battle throughout, with strong play coming from senior co-captain Emma Jackson; juniors Sarah Beth Roady, Hana Riley, and Avery Garcia; sophomore Molly Kate Minyard; Askounis; and Conner.

Another stellar showing for sophomore goalie Emmie Hanvey, who marked 14 saves including a picture-perfect tip-out at the end of the first half holding the score to 1-2 Memorial. Riley gave the Spartans their second goal of the night early in the third on a beauty of a pass from Jackson. End of the third, 2-5 Memorial but the Spartans weren’t ready to go home. The score inched closer to even with a Minyard-to-Askounis inside shot, and a Jackson-to-Garcia insider.

Jackson brought the game to 5-6 after pulling a 5-meter penalty and scoring with her signature skip shot to the corner. Then came two huge blocks from Hanvey with under two minutes in regulation to hold the score, and then another 5-meter penalty shot from Jackson with less than a minute to go tied the game 6-6.

UIL Water Polo overtime is two 3:00 periods. More outstanding saves from Hanvey and a nice forced-turnover by Roady, but the Mustangs went up by one at the end of the first half of OT on a power shot from mid pool. The score pulled away after an early shot by MHS 6-8, but the intensity stayed high when Conner forced a turnover and took the ball downpool for a goal. Time ran out before the Spartans could even the score again. Final Stratford 7, Memorial 8 OT. We’ll meet again.

vs. Lamar

Back in the pool at 8:00 am Saturday morning, the Lamar Texans were looking to take down the Spartans, but the day didn’t go their way. Molly Kate Minyard continued her streak of winning opening swim-offs to give Stratford first possession. Sarah Beth Roady forced an early turnover in the first period, and then Elizabeth Conner found Minyard for a textbook fast-break goal. Conner continued her outstanding team play with an inside pass to Lily Askounis, who scored to tie the game 2-2 at the end of the first. There was excellent defense from the entire squad, but their shots weren’t finding the goal: 2-5 at the end of the first half.

The second half dawned with Emma Jackson driving inside for a sweet one-pointer and then finding Conner across the pool for a brilliant inside shot -- the first of 5 second-half goals for Conner. At the end of the third period, LC swam the ball down for a game-tying goal: 5-5. Good ball movement from the team resulted in a Jackson-to-Minyard-to-Conner goal. 6-5 Stratford. Conner swam it down again for what is becoming her signature corner shot: 7-5 Stratford. Lamar wasn’t letting up, though. They scored with a lofty tough-to-save shot, 7-6. Jackson kept the ball moving with a couple heads-up turnovers, and Avery Garcia held her own with a perfect pass to the hat-trick-plus-two Conner: 8-6. Lamar scored once more and a buzzer-beating stop by goalie Emmie Hanvey gave the Spartans the edge and the win: Stratford 8, Lamar 7.

vs. Foster

In their third and final game, the girls faced defending State Champion Foster High School. Masters at the counter-attack, Foster capitalized on their impressive speed and agility. Despite several solid attempts, the Spartans went scoreless. ‘Nuf said.

The Varsity and JV girls meet St. Agnes for the first time this season at WW Emmons Natatorium on Tuesday at 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm. The JV girls will be playing in the 2nd Annual CFISD Junior Varsity Water Polo Tournament on Friday and Saturday at the CFISD nat. The Varsity team will be back at Emmons for another Saturday Tournament with games against Bridgeland and Friendswood starting at 10:30 am.