Bellevue beats Shorewood, 6-5

It took eight years for Bellevue High School to relaunch its girls water polo program. It took less than three weeks for the team to earn its first victory. Led by freshman Sophie French’s three goals and junior captain Sierra Anderson’s nine saves in goal, the Wolverines defeated Shorewood on Wednesday to earn their first victory of the season.

Within the first few minutes of the game, it was clear that a defensive battle was brewing. Anderson made several spectacular saves to keep Shorewood at bay, resulting in an 3-1 halftime lead for the Wolverines. In the third quarter, junior Sophie Pasewark scored her first goal of the season on a man-up opportunity. However, Shorewood answered with two goals of their own to narrow Bellevue’s lead to 4-3 heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter proved to be another intense battle between the two evenly matched teams. Shorewood scored first, but freshman Lillie French responded with one of her two goals on the evening. With three minutes remaining, Shorewood answered to tie the game at 5. With less than two minutes remaining, junior Sophie Quynn earned an ejection at two-meters. After a timeout, Sophie French blasted an outside shot past the Shorewood goalie on the man-up for the decisive goal. Shorewood threatened in the final two possessions, but senior Claire O’Rourke’s excellent defense helped the Wolverines preserve the lead.

The Wolverines (1-1) jump back in to the pool on Monday, March 18th against perennial powerhouse Mercer Island.