Drake Water Polo Delivers Thrills, but no Victory Against MC

Whenever two powerhouses meet in regular season play, there is much anticipation and predictions of post-season championship games to come. There was a buzz surrounding the Drake pool last night as fans packed the bleachers to watch the boys and girls water polo teams square off against long-time rival Marin Catholic. 

The boys game started the evening off with a dramatic overtime thriller. The two talented teams traded goals for much of the first half until MC was able to score two unanswered goals just before halftime bringing the score to 5-3.

Drake's offense came out of the break firing on all cylinders, scoring two goals in two minutes to start the third quarter. The game did not stay tied for long, as MC came right back down the pool and scored on the next play.

In the fourth quarter, with MC leading 6-5, the game's intensity level ratcheted up even more. The two teams matched each other shot for shot on nearly every possession. With 2:50 remaining in the game, Pirate Spencer Vergara attempted to even the score with a huge shot from way outside that banged off the crossbar. Finally, with less than two minutes left the Pirates broke through with what would be their final goal of the evening.

As the game headed into overtime, MC scored the winning goal in the first of the two overtime periods. The Drake team looked a tired in the extra time and struggled to muster any kind of offense.

Junior Will Sale had a huge game in goal for the Pirates with a number of impressive saves that kept his team in the game.

It was a tough loss for the Pirates, who are now 3-3 on the year. "This loss is going to stay with me for a while," said sophomore Matt Potter. T

But make no mistake, the team will have their chance to redeem themselves against their rivals in the MCAL playoffs, where both teams are expected to be high up in the post-season standings.

The girls game started much like the boys: two very good teams exchanging goals, going shot for shot with each other, while playing ferocious defense. The action in the first half was fast paced and at no point did the Drake girls seem outmatched by the big and aggressive MC squad.

Just before halftime with the score 4-2, the Pirates missed an opportunity to draw closer as Lauren Emgee's penalty shot rang off the cross bar with no time left on the clock.

In the second half, the game got away from the Pirates. Drake scored twice in the third, but in both cases MC answered with goals of their own within 30 seconds.  The Wildcats pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning by in the end 10-5.

Despite what the score might suggest, Wendy Barbero had a very strong game in goal for Drake, creating several scoring opportunities for her team with long accurate passes leading the Drake counter-attack.

Though the Drake girls team is less dominant than their male counterparts, they could meet MC again in post-season play.

No game last night was without suspense, with even the JV boys match – played in between the two varsity games – going into overtime. Drake, however, managed to come out on top in that one, winning 10-8.