Friday night was Senior Night at the WW Emmons Natatorium. Cheers resounded for the three Spartans girls – two who have played Varsity since they were freshmen and one who picked up the sport just last year: Co-captains Emma Jackson and Lily Askounis, and defensive specialist Lindsay Wong. Wong has her sights set on Texas Tech and a career in architecture. Jackson and Askounis are pursuing a STEM path with universities still to be determined.

vs. Klein Collins

Klein Collins was an untested adversary in the Senior Night game and they came out strong, scoring first early in the first. Sophomore Elizabeth Conner tied the game at 1-1 on a rebound shot. Conner tallied a second on an insider from a junior Hana Riley pass. Emma Jackson showed leadership in the field with outstanding ball control and defensive play. Conner scored a first-period hat trick after the team worked the ball down and she patiently waited for the sweet-spot shot. 3-1 Spartans. First-quarter scoring didn’t stop there. Sophomore Molly Kate Minyard played strong defense, forcing a Tiger turnover and getting the ball down to senior Lindsay Wong to Lily Askounis in the center for a shot-miss-rebound-Score! Then Askounis found Minyard on the cut for a finesse goal -- 5-1. And finally, the captains claimed a Jackson-to-Askounis power-in to end the first quarter 6-1.

Minyard was successful on her first career “jump ball” on the swim-off that resulted in a Conner goal off her own rebound, 7-1. Junior Avery Garcia played aggressive defense with multiple forced turnovers, while junior Sarah Beth Roady and freshman Jill Hyland continued with strong defensive control. Wong made a nice inside pass to Conner for a hat trick-plus-2, 8-1. Hana Riley found Askounis inside for a quick pop-in, 9-1. Freshman Luisa Becerra showed confident maturity on offense, and Lindsay Wong made an impressive first Varsity goal with a patient strategic shot at the end of the second, 10-2. With most of the first half action at the other end of the pool, sophomore goalie Emmie Hanvey had an easy go of it this game. Highlight: a monster block on a 5-meter penalty shot in the second period.

Next year’s line-up was on display in the second half: freshman Audrey Bown was relentless on defense, sophomore LC Nall showed strength on both ends of the pool, soph Lilli Oteiza used strength and speed to her advantage. Hana Riley was tactical in her pass from the corner to junior Sarah Beth Roady, who scored from midfield, 11-2. Capitalizing on one of her many forced turnovers, Emma Jackson fed Riley for what would be the final goal of the night. Freshmen Abby Middlebrooks and Emily Pace showed defensive smarts in their Varsity play. Sophomore goalie Bella Smith demonstrated serious ball control in the second half, recording 11 saved shots, including a couple picture-perfect fingertip brush-offs. Final: Stratford 12, Klein Collins 2.

vs. St. Agnes

On Wednesday, the JV girls ended their season earlier than planned when area thunder and lightning forced a rain-out late in the first quarter against St. Agnes at the Strake Jesuit outdoor pool. The JV Spartans showed marked improvement throughout their season: starting as novice players just learning the rules and trying to catch a pass to a heads-up team that works the ball, works the plays, and works as a team.

The Spartans are tied with Memorial for first place in the division. Up next: Playoffs, here we come -- Go Big Green!