Bellevue drops Newport in season opener

Under partly sunny skies on Monday afternoon, the Bellevue High School girls water polo team kicked off its 2014 season with a 3-2 road victory over Newport High School. With the win, Bellevue claimed its first victory over Newport since the Bellevue girls program was re-established in 2013.

The early-season match-up featured two of the top goalies in the state: Newport’s Katelyn Jenkins and Bellevue’s Sierra Anderson. Not surprisingly, the game proved to be a tense defensive battle. Other than a first-quarter 6-on-5 rebound shot by Newport’s Kayley Ray, neither team could sneak a shot past Jenkins and Anderson in the opening half.

After a slow offensive start, Bellevue’s offense broke through in the third quarter. Sophomore Maggie Ugelstad netted Bellevue’s first goal of the year on a powerful post-up shot, evening the game at 1-1. Midway through the quarter, sophomore Nina Stash scored on a post-up, assisted by sophomore Lisa Courtney. Later in the third, Stash struck again, this time on a 6-on-5 after senior Sophie Quynn drew the second of her team-leading three ejections at two-meters.

Entering the fourth quarter with a 3-1 lead, the Wolverines turned their focus to defense. Senior two-meter defender Sophie Pasewark, junior Julie Mao and freshman Morgan Baker stepped forward and provided tight defense. But the fourth quarter belonged to Anderson. The senior captain made several key saves, including one at the buzzer, to preserve the Bellevue victory. Anderson was officially credited with 14 saves.

Bellevue (1-0) hosts its home opener on Wednesday at 5:30pm at Woodridge against Shorewood High School.