The score was tied in the fourth period, with only seconds left in the game. The Matadors had scored the last goal, and both teams were struggling to score a final point, but ended up losing.

Girls water polo faced Fremont High School in a close game on Oct. 7. Within the first minutes, the Matadors had already taken the lead, with a point scored by senior Samantha Quevedo. A few seconds later, FHS equalized, but Quevedo responded with a second goal, followed by another Matador goal by junior Monica Ravichandran. By the end of first period, the Matadors were leading three to one.

Seconds into the second period, FHS scored a goal, and shot twice more before MVHS could score. Once MVHS did get a scoring opportunity, they took advantage of it, and successfully made a T-shot. Junior Nicole Deacon also scored a goal, putting MVHS back ahead, but in the last five seconds of the period, FHS responded with a quick goal.

“We came out strong and definitely corrected the the fundamental mistakes we had made on Monday.” Deacon said, “I think the game really made us confident in our play and positioned us to be successful in later in the season.”

In the start of third period, FHS scored the first goal quickly again. A few seconds later, the Matadors retook possession of the ball with a successful steal and shortly scored, followed by a goal by FHS. After FHS called a quick timeout, they scored a penalty shot, followed by a goal by MVHS. The game was close. By the end of the period, FHS showed great defense and scored a goal in the last seconds.

“It was a good game but not good effort,” Quevedo said, “I feel like we were better in talent, but they had more effort to win.”

The score in the fourth period was 7-10, with MVHS trailing, and the Matadors stepped up their game. In the first minute, FHS attempted to score, but the goalie blocked the shot. The next minutes were a battle between the two teams, each striving for the win, until FHS called another timeout. With about three minutes left in the period, senior Kylie Constant scored a goal with an assist from senior Scarlett Perry, followed by another goal by Deacon. FHS attempted to score but, within the last minute, Ravichandran scored another goal for MVHS. The two teams were tied with only forty seconds remaining. FHS scored a goal within the last few seconds of the game. Time-outs were called by both teams in the last twenty seconds, but FHS ultimately ended up winning the game 11-10.

Despite their loss, the Matadors were still proud of their performance in the pool.

“We all thought we played really solid,” Ravichandran said, “and we’re going to beat them next time.”

The Matador’s next home game is against Wilcox High School on Oct. 14.

 

Photos by Trisha Kholiya.