It was another huge week for the Spartan Girls Water Polo Team - the squad opened with a huge win against Memorial (!) and then made the long trek out to Richmond to take on two-time defending State Champion (and current National #1-ranked) Foster High School. Early the next morning, they were back in the SBISD Natatorium pool for non-District games against area powers Houston Lamar and Houston Westside.
vs. Memorial
The Spartans started the week off with one of the biggest games of the season – the first of two regular season match ups against Memorial. The contest was tense from the opening whistle, with both teams playing aggressive and tough defense. The first quarter was half over before Hana Riley took advantage of the space created by a Memorial foul to find Elizabeth Conner, who fired in the first goal. That was the only goal in the quarter, as Molly Kate Minyard and Avery Garcia combined for multiple steals to shut down the Memorial offense, and Sarah Beth Roady blocked a dangerous shot from the field as time ran out. Riley rocketed a shot through the hands of half the Memorial team, and Emmie Hanvey made amazing save after amazing save to see the Spartans lead 2-1 at the end of the half. The Spartans resumed scoring early in the third quarter as Minyard found Elle Burke in front of the net, who finished with a strong goal. Garcia took her turn assisting Burke for another score and, as time was running out in the third, Minyard jumped a pass to steal the ball and combined with Hanvey to find Conner for another goal - Stratford led 5-1 going into the fourth. Conner added one more goal to open the fourth, and then the team focused on shutting down the Ponies. Leah Claire Nall and Charlotte Moore both provided tough stops to keep the furious Memorial attack from finding the back of the net, while Garcia picked pockets, Riley broke down fast breaks, and Hanvey blocked shot after shot. Tough defense kept the Mustangs under control and secured the rivalry game win.
Final – Stratford 6, Memorial 3
vs. Foster
On Friday afternoon, the team took to the road to face Richmond Foster - the National #1 team was just as good as advertised. Despite some great defense and wonderful play in the goal by Hanvey, the Spartans struggled to quell the Foster attack. Minyard took advantage of Richmond being down a player to find Conner for the first Spartan score of the game. As time was running out in the first half, Riley fired from long-range off an inbound play to add the second Spartan goal. In the fourth quarter, Audrey Bown converted tough play in front of the goal to find the back of the net, and Hanvey scored from half-court as time expired for the final Spartan goal. Despite some great defense from the team - including some wonderful steals and disruptive defense by Paige Buri, Louisa Becerra, and Emily Pace, Foster proved too much for the Spartans.
Final – Stratford 4, Richmond Foster 19
vs. Lamar
The Spartans were back in the pool early Saturday morning to face a strong Lamar team for the first time since the Texas Cup. Riley was the first to find the back of the net, finishing off a beautiful set-up by Conner. Conner then scored herself with a rocket-fire penalty, and Hanvey, who built a wall in the net during the first quarter, found Garcia for the third score of the quarter. Garcia connected with Conner early in the second to open Spartan scoring before finding a goal herself off another length-of-pool assist from Hanvey. Roady provided a beautiful pass to Minyard, who converted for the score, and Hanvey found Conner one more time to establish a 7-1 Spartan lead at the half. The Spartans played tough defense in the third quarter, with Piper Barrow and Bella Smith making great steals and playing aggressive defense, and Hanvey denying Lamar with more incredible saves. The Spartans resumed scoring in the fourth with both Hanvey and Roady assisting Conner scores. Shut-down defense by Jill Hyland, Abby Middlebrooks, and Claire and Caroline Culbertson saw the Spartans through to the win.
Final – Stratford 9, Houston Lamar 4
vs. Westside
The last game of the weekend saw the Spartans match up against the tough Westside team. The game was a defensive struggle with no one able to find the net until, in waning moments of the first, Conner fired a powerful shot that the Westside keeper couldn’t handle, and Burke was there to clean up the rebound and power it through for the score. The Spartans continued their scoring ways in the third with Garcia teaming up to find Conner for the score and Hanvey making a beautiful pass to set up Riley for another goal. In the final quarter, both Riley and Roady found Conner open to power the ball in for goals scored, and Minyard fired a perfect shot from half-court as time expired for the last Spartan goal of the week.
Final – Stratford 6, Houston Westside 9
Next Up: The Spartans have another full week of District action, with a journey out to Richmond to face George Ranch on the schedule for Tuesday (the 24th) at 5:30 pm, as well as the second District match against Memorial. Come support the Spartans as they look to complete the season sweep of Memorial at the SBISD Natatorium this Friday (the 27th) at 4:30 pm!