The Williston Boys Varsity Water Polo team has had a rough start to the season, but is looking to turn things around.
After facing the top three teams in the Nepsac, the team is looking to bounce back from last weekend (Sept. 21) with games against Hopkins and Exeter. The team is set on a top three finish this season. Currently standing at 1-4, the Wildcats have, despite their record, shown flashes of greatness, especially on defense. Senior captain Harrick Stevenson delivered an amazing defensive performance and goalie Connor Graff had a strong turnout. The team is confident that they can bounce back this weekend in their Sept. 28 games against Andover and Greenwich Country Day School.
The Boys Water Polo team has a competitive history, having made the playoffs twice in the last five years. With a reputation of hard work and dedication, the team has consistently challenged some of the best teams in the league. This year, as always, their goal remains the same: to make the playoffs.
In their first weekend match on Sept. 14 against Choate, Herrick Stevenson was able to make tremendous stops against the opponents’ best player. He anchored the defense. Lateef Aiyeyemi, a junior noticed “Herrick has done a great job helping the team on the defensive end.”
Connor Graff, recently recovering from illness, has shown significant improvement since last season.
The team’s first win of the season was on Sept. 18 against Westminster, where the entire team dominated on both sides of the pool, not only playing relentless defense, but also creating many counter attacks and opportunities on offense.
Post-Graduate Peter Mahon started in the shallow end goal, saving multiple shots in the first quarter, letting only one in. In the second quarter, freshman Alex Hedstrom played as the deep-end goalie.
The Varsity Water Polo Team ended in a dominant fashion, winning 19 to 8. Junior Teppei Morita said, “I think it was a great team showing, we showed what we are capable of as a team.”
In the team’s most recent matchups, on Sept. 21 against Hopkins and Exeter, the team suffered two losses. In their first matchup against Hopkins, the team was up early in the first quarter, but as halftime came around, the team was down by two with a score line of 7 to 5.
The team attempted to make a comeback with the score 9 to 8 in favor of Hopkins. Ultimately, Hopkins was able to pull out with a 12-8 victory. After a devastating first loss, the team looked to bounce back against Exeter. But after a tough fought battle between two great teams, Exeter was able to win 21-9.
