The boys water polo destroyed the Aragon Dons 27-2 in a blazing match Tuesday afternoon.
The Bears gracefully dove into the game despite the scorching 100 degree heat. Pulling ahead quickly, junior Evan ten Vaanholt scored the first goal of the game just 28 seconds into the first quarter.
“We knew how the game was going to end even before it started,” senior captain Casey Watkins said. After aggressive defense from the Dons, Watkins sank a shot with 4:44 left in the first quarter, pulling M-A ahead 3-0. Watkins’ confidence and leadership rippled throughout the team in their notably successful offense.
As spectators were left sweating on the deck, the Bears were not experiencing a single drop of stress over the game with senior JD Coolican scoring just 17 seconds after Watkins’ goal.
With the Bears on defense and senior goalkeeper Arman Azadpour in the cage, the assertive offense of the Dons was not able to reach the back of the net.
With two minutes left in the first quarter, senior Alex Alburger pounded yet another goal through the Dons’ goalkeeper. Senior Armin Loftman closed out the quarter with the Bears’ seventh goal, making the score 7-0.
Floating into the second quarter with a snug lead, the Bears started off strong with sophomore Spencer Harding winning the sprint. A goal attempt by Harding was blocked only seconds later, but senior Leonardo Mazzon rebounded quickly, scoring with 4:39 on the clock.
As M-A held the lead, Harding hammered the ball into the net three minutes into the quarter, uplifting the score 10-0 for the Bears.
With tension building on Aragon’s bench, sophomore Navid Riahi fueled the fire by sinking a shot with 2:27 left in the first half.
Riahi and ten Vaanholt scored again, along with junior Jack Bullard and freshman Brady Henricks, giving the Bears a 15 point lead against the Dons.
“No one lost focus. No one lost sight of the goal,” Bullard said. The Bears headed into the second half of the game with the same focus and determination to continue their aggressive offense.
After watching M-A score another five goals, Aragon managed to sneak the ball past the Bears’ defense. M-A continued to lead 20-1, however, giving the Dons no chance for a comeback.
Watkins closed out the third quarter with ease, scoring his third goal of the game. The Bears entered the final quarter winning 22-1.
M-A immediately took control of the final quarter with Bullard winning the sprint. In just the first 30 seconds, junior Bryce Winters assisted Bullard for a goal.
A penalty shot allowed the Dons to score once more, yet it didn’t help their 25-2 deficit. Coming off the high of their second goal, the Dons left the cage wide open, allowing Winters to sneak a goal. Aragon was still lacking in their defense, and Riahi was able to score again.
M-A finished the game on top with a decisive 27-2 victory.
“I think we had great ball movement, communicated on defense, and played as a team, taking from the team bonding we’ve done recently,” Winters said.
The Bears will take on the Carlmont Scots at home next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
