The teams were neck-and-neck for the entire game, but a sudden burst of energy propelled Muir to win in sudden death.
Story by Kamillah Morales
Staff Writer
Photo by Adrian Lopez
Staff Photographer
Boys’ water polo had an intense and passionate match against the Muir Mustangs on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Not only did they remain tied for nearly the whole game, but they went to overtime twice. Viewers were on the edge of their seats, anticipating which team would pull ahead to victory. In the end, Muir won by sudden death 13–12.
“I think the other team had some pretty strong shooters,” head coach Kat McCullough said. “Their team chemistry seemed a little stronger than ours.”
Sophomore Liam Englender was the first to score five minutes into the game. Muir followed soon after, upping the score to 1–1. The crowd was packed with shouts and mild criticism as the Tigers caps kept falling off their heads. As the quarter continued, the score was at a tie 2–2.
The second quarter was filled with excitement. Junior Joshua Ha managed to make a goal despite having a defender blocking him head-on. The Mustangs repeatedly fired shots at sophomore Lucas Cologne, but he skillfully blocked any that came his way. Eventually, Muir scored 3–3. However, Ha brought back South Pasadena’s lead with a clean shot. Despite reverting the score to a tie whenever the Tigers pulled ahead, Mustang parents were frustrated each moment their team wasn’t on the winning side. So, they were not thrilled when sophomore Quinn Sullivan scored two smooth shots consecutively, putting South Pasadena in the lead 6–5.
The game continued intensely. Those in the audience agreed that the two teams were a great match as they competed tirelessly. It was impossible to get a grasp of who would be the victors of this match, and that only riled up the crowd more. Muirs’ main course of attack was driving towards the net during offense while South Pasadena centered themselves on a strong defense to use counterattacks as their forte. Still, the Tigers and Mustangs were tied, now at 7–7, in the the fourth quarter. The teams would have to settle the winner in overtime.
South Pasadena was looking strong as they were in a two-point lead by the end of the first half; victory was within the Tigers’ reach. The Mustangs were anxious to make a goal, but the Tigers were relentlessly stealing the ball from their grasp. However, as if a switch suddenly went off, Muir dominated the second half. They scored two goals and the game was at a tie yet again, 12–12.
The fate of the game was up to sudden death. The viewers in the crowd shouted for their respective team, and the tension was thrilling. In the end, Muir was the first to score a skip shot and claim victory, 13–12.
Despite the loss, it was a compelling game, and the Tigers showed admirable persistence and determination.
“I think they played a hard game,” McCullough said. “They kept fighting until the end. They didn’t give up when we were down, so I’m proud of that.”
The boys’ water polo team will hopefully reclaim victory in their next game against the Eagle Rock Eagles on Monday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m.
