The Spartan Girls Water Polo Team had a full and exciting week highlighted by the kickoff of their District campaign against George Ranch on Friday, where they honored their Seniors at Senior Night. Earlier in the week Varsity hosted area power Clear Creek, and over the weekend the Junior Varsity squad saw action in the pool against St. Agnes.

VARSITY

vs. Clear Creek

The Spartans opened the week against an Area Champion from last year – Clear Creek. The game was close from the first whistle as Clear Creek struck quickly. It took a quarter’s worth of tough defense from Elizabeth Conner and Leah Clair Nall to keep the game close until Conner was able to convert a beautiful pass from Hana Riley to even the score at one after the first. An amazing steal from Avery Garcia got the squad going in the second, but aggressive Clear Creek defense forced tough shots and kept the Spartans off the scoreboard despite amazing drives by Molly Kate Minyard and strong set play by Elle Burke. The third period saw Riley set up Conner again to score, and the Spartans kept the pressure up with timely steals from Luisa Becerra and aggressive shots from Garcia. Riley found the scoreboard with a beautiful lob shot, and Becerra rocketed one into the back of the net to give the Spartans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Amazing saves in the net by Emmie Hanvey shut down the Clear Creek attack, and steals in the field by Emily Pace, Conner, and Minyard as well as a perfectly executed block by Sarah Beth Roady sealed the win for the Spartans.

Final – Stratford 4, Clear Creek 3

vs. George Ranch

District play opened with a tough match-up against Richmond George Ranch. George Ranch jumped out to a quick two-goal lead before Minyard found Burke to battle for a goal in front of the net in the first. Minyard opened scoring in the second quarter finishing off a length-of-the-pool pass from Hanvey on the fast break. Garcia’s perfect pass allowed Becerra to find the goal to tie the game at three after the first half. The second half turned into a defensive slog as George Ranch went down a player and packed the goal line with bodies to derail the Spartan offense. Hanvey came up clutch to stop a penalty shot to keep the game tied and then found Minyard on the break again, who cleaned up for her second goal. Conner finished off a wonderful assist from Riley and then powered a goal through ten George Ranch hands to extend the Spartan lead in the fourth. Riley added her own goal when Conner found her in perfect position with seconds left, sealing the first District win of the season.

Final – Stratford 7, George Ranch 5

JUNIOR VARSITY

vs. St. Agnes Academy

On Saturday morning, the JV team trekked to the Strake Jesuit pool to face off against a familiar foe – the St. Agnes Academy squad. St. Agnes scored first and threatened to extend their lead, but keeper Julia Cvetkovic made a great penalty save and amazing field defense by Paige Buri and Audrey Bown kept St. Agnes off the scoreboard for the rest of the quarter. Charlotte Moore was able to quickly capitalize off this effort, finding Becerra to score and even it out. The Spartans extended their lead in the first quarter when Emma McLean found Pace in front of the net, who finished perfectly. St. Agnes couldn’t keep up with the Spartans in the second quarter, and keeper Bella Smith made brilliant stops to shut them out completely. Pace scored first, finishing a beautiful assist from Jill Hyland, and the pair teamed up again a few minutes later to further extend the lead. Kate Homer found Caroline Culbertson, who fired one into the back of the net, and then Homer herself finished off an excellent pass from McLean as time was expiring in the half. The Spartan goals kept flying in the third quarter as Piper Barrow assisted both Becerra and then Pace in front of the net for scores. In between these tallies, Becerra connected with Pace for another goal, and shut-down defense from Abby Middlebrooks gave the Spartans a 9-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. More great saves by Smith, coupled with stellar defensive work by Claire and Caroline Culbertson saw the Spartans hold on for the win.

Final – Stratford 9, St. Agnes Academy 4

Next Up: This is the first full week of the District Season for the Spartans, and it starts off with what is sure to be an exciting rivalry Game! Come out to the SBISD Natatorium to watch your Spartans face off against Memorial this Tuesday (the 17th) at 4:30 pm (for the JV match up) and 6:00 pm (for Varsity)! For all you committed Water Polo fans, you can join the team in Richmond on Friday (the 20th) at 5:30 pm as they challenge reigning State Champion (and new District rival) Richmond Foster at the LCISD Natatorium. Finally, Stratford and Memorial team up to host Houston Westside and Houston Lamar for a Saturday morning (the 21st) full of action in the SBISD Natatorium pool – Varsity plays Lamar bright and early at 8:00 am and faces Westside at 11:20 am.