The varsity girls water polo team washed out Los Gatos in its first home game with a final score of 14 to 8 today, September 14. While Los Gatos scored first off the sprint, the Eagles used their superior offense to seize the lead–a lead they refused to lose.

By the end of the first quarter, the team’s stronger arms and cleaner aggression scored it five points, whereas Los Gatos managed only two. Los Gatos did pick up its defense in the second quarter, which notably slowed the pace of the game, but it made little headway offensively.

In spite of Los Gatos’ renewed efforts and another sprint won, the water polo team still ripped in another four goals through the second quarter, largely due to excellent play in set. The opposing team scored two more goals, bringing the total score to nine to four.

After another victorious sprint for Los Gatos and a chancy longshot that creeped its way into the cage, LAHS retaliated with a vengeance. The team redeemed some previously failed drives and held Los Gatos to the clock with ironclad defense. Playing a game of attrition, the Eagles finished the quarter with a score of ten to six.

“For the first time, we played as a team,” senior Katy Schaffer said.

LAHS snagged a sprint to kick off an utterly decisive fourth quarter. Los Gatos players sunk in psychological defeat as LAHS’s 12 and 13 goals zipped into the opposing cage. Substitutions were made on both teams and the game ended with a final score of 14 to 8.

“We didn’t play up to our potential, but we still played well,” goalie senior Nicole Larsen said, referring to the slightly spotty defense throughout the game.

The Eagles did let in a few goals that were hard to watch. Even so, they look forward to future victories.

“This is our first home league game and we had a really good turnout; I’m glad we won,” senior Olivia Santiago said.

The next game will be at and against Wilcox on Tuesday, September 20.