Women Wolverine’s Water Polo 2017 Season Begins
Girls Water Polo started their competitive season Sat, March 11 at Curtis High School in University Place with a 3-game Jamboree, facing off first against State Champs Gig Harbor for a tough first match up. We fell to the Tide 8-1, but the girls had a good first game together.
Senior Co-Captain Morgan Baker scored the Wolverine goal with a powerful shot. We were warmed up and ready for Bainbridge with Holly Harris and Tatiana Pasewark setting. BHS won 9-6 with memorable goals from Senior Co-Captain Sophia Schmid (3), Morgan Baker (2), Elena Acevedo (2), Holly Harris (1) and new to the team this year, Junior Madison Klein (1).
Another newcomer this year, Junior Katie Duff handily won the sprint and assisted on two goals and steals in the Bainbridge and Enumclaw games. Almost all of the girls at least got shots off. Sophia Schmid’s beautiful text book lob shot finished the game. Senior Co-Captain & Varsity Goalie Sophia Simons kept Bainbridge and Enumclaw at bay with the help of Junior Erica Esselstrom.
The Enumclaw game started off with a goal from Holly Harris in the first minute, followed by a beautifully set up play with Morgan Baker’s pass to Holly for another goal. Morgan tallied 3 goals herself; Madison racked up 2 more goals — one set up by a great pass from Morgan; Tatiana hurled one in to crush the hornets 8-1. A terrific showing for their first games!
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Green was the lucky color on St. Patrick’s Day for the Girls Water Polo Team’s first league game with a resounding 9-5 win against Mercer Island on our home turf at the Edgebrook Club Pool. Captain Morgan Baker and speedy Katie Duff dominated Mercer Island in the first quarter. Morgan’s steal set up one of Katie’s two Q1 goals. Morgan’s Q1 skip shot goal left the MI goalie shaking her head. Erica Esselstrom covered the goal the entire game, limiting MI to 5 goals after thrice the shots.
Holly Harris and Tatiana Pasewark took a beating in the hole, but subdued the Islander defenders. Tati was robbed when her nice shot was blocked. Q2 Katie’s unbridled speed and technique helped her win the sprint. The Schmid sisters, Senior Sophia and Junior Natasha, kept the game alive in the 2nd quarter. Schmiddie’s powerful shot was high, then Natasha’s steal surprised the Islanders (their mascot is also the Snails, btw!). Madison helped Erica by blocking a MI shot and Erica blocked 4 MI tough shots on goal! Holly executed on a quick dry pass from alert Morgan on a fast break resulting in a goal. Sarah Kim pressured MI into a turn over. Madison continued the scoring with a beautiful shot followed by Natasha’s downtown outside slam into the goal, bringing the score to 6-3 Wolverines at the half.
Q3 opened with a steal by Holly to set up a fast break. Erica continued to protect the goal, saving two more would-be goals. Natasha’s aggressive defending grabbed another steal. Elena Acevedo and Holly Harris each scored a goal in Q3. In Q4 Morgan and Tatiana made a raucous splashing in front of the goal and then Morgan tenaciously finished with a score. Final score 9-5 Wolverines dominating!
The JV girls were also victorious 3-2 in their season opener against Mercer Island. Freshman Grace Li scored not one, but two, goals in her debut while freshman Katie Morris contributed the JV squad’s third goal. Nice going! The biggest surprise was at the conclusion of the game when the JV girls discovered that they had won. What? We won?? The spectators were then treated to shouts of glee from the JV team!
Much more to come in next Sunday’s Wolverine Water Polo Weekly!
