Bellevue Girls Water Polo Team Games Recap
May 7th, 2018
It has been a busy few weeks for the BHS Girls WaPo team!
The weekend of April 20-22, we ventured to Beaverton, Oregon for the Rose Cup tournament. Our first game was tough against the rough Empire team, losing 12-5 after heroic efforts of Jenna Frazer, Elena Acevedo and Erica Esselstrom on Defense and Katie Duff, Natasha Schmid and Holly Harris on Offense. Goals were scored by Jenna, Katie, Natasha (2) and Holly.
Our second match up with top ranked Oregon Tualatin Hills A Team yielded a 12-1 loss, single goal scored by Holly. The next game vs PSP-B was 8-3 PSP with goals scored by Natasha (2) and Kira Goutzioulis. Our last late night game was very exciting against Narrows. Out of the blocks, Jenna and Tash scored with help from Katie. After lots of turnovers in the third quarter, we were up 7-6, but could only get one goal in the 4th; Natasha scored on a Penalty shot. Ultimately losing 9-8, goals were scored by Jenna, Katie and Natasha (6!) and defensive help with steals came from Jenna, Katie, Tash and Holly.
Our last game before heading home was schooling MI 11-4. Erica was on fire in the cage, deflecting 8 shots. Elena and Jenna heated the Islanders’ water! The first scores were Natasha’s Penalty shot and then Jenna’s nice set up to Holly from the hole. Q2 Holly passed to Tash for a long shot. Grace Li snagged an interception and passed to Jenna who assisted Holly’s pump-fake to a goal. Another assist from Jenna to Tash to get the score 5-0 at the half. In Q3 Tash brought it all the way down for a goal with Jenna taking an assist from Holly for a great goal. Q4 Erica continued her perfect placement assisting Holly for a T-shot goal. Katie had a Penalty shot opportunity and converted it. Tash scored once more and Holly once more on a front sling shot, bringing the score to 11-4 BHS. Goals: Tash (5), Holly (4), Jenna and Katie.
The girls spent their Friday evening 4/27 at Gig Harbor, getting experience for Regionals and States. We lost 9-3, but learned a lot. May Day we greeted Ingraham with some intensity, winning 15-2. Swing players had lots of opportunities in this match up. Goals were scored by Katie, Natasha, Grace, Kira, Claire Zhang, Jamie Paik, Jenna, Chloe Liu and Nathalie Valdman.
Unfortunately, we suffered a tough loss in overtime to MI on May 3rdat Mary Wayte Pool. Jenna pulled off a goal with 4 Islanders riding her in the first quarter. Jenna assisted Tash with a goal and Kira and Tash helped with steals in Q1. Q2 Elena took the sprint and Erica fiercely defended the goal, deflecting 3 shots. Katie and Jenna stole the ball, Grace got her goal and Jenna assisted Elena for a goal, getting the score to 5-4 MI at the half. Q3 Katie tasted blood and played smart aggressive polo! Tash scored first, next Jenna assisted in Katie’s goal and then Holly assisted in another Duff goal. Q4 the Islanders tied it up and we went into OT and could not pull off the win, losing 9-7. It was a disappointment that will not be repeated. Next games will be the PSP Invite at Curtis May 5-6.
April 8th, 2018.
The Bellevue Girls WaPo Varsity and JV squads had only one game last week, against Newport. Varsity lost 10-8 in a very physical game, and a markedly different game from the first match up where we won handily 14-8. Erica was tough in the goal, but our defense couldn’t help enough. Captain Natasha Schmid dominated the first quarter with two long corner shots, one from the 10m and one from the half, ending the quarter 2-0. Elena sank a beautiful corner shot past the Knight goalie; Jenna grabbed a key steal to end the half tied 3-3. Tash kicked off Q3 with another long corner shot, but Newport battled back. After Holly’s wet backhand bouncer from the hole, it was 5-5. Another nice shot from Tash was welcomed, but Newport scored three unanswered goals to end Q3 9-6. Holly kicked off the final quarter with another goal from center and Grace got one in to give us 8. It was a very frustrating loss with many lessons to chew on before we meet them again. The Varsity team will have another opportunity to shine the light on Knight time next month.
The JV girls had a great night against Newport shutting them down 8-2.
Thank you Jennifer Wang (Chloe’s Mom) for hosting a fun Team Dinner Friday night! This week is only practices at the regular times MW 6:15 TTh 4:15 and Friday 6:15. Next Varsity and JV games are Tuesday 4/17 at 4:30 vs Roosevelt at Edgebrook Club and Weds 4/18 4:30 at Curtis. Stay tuned for Rose Cup Tournament planning emails.
