WOPO Ends Streak

Boys’ water polo lost their undefeated streak this weekend, winning against Canterbury and losing against Brunswick. The loss ended the team’s 7-0 winning streak, making their record 8-1.The team entered their games this weekend with confidence, due to their success against Choate last week. “Going in the game we were feeling good, coming off the big win against Choate. We felt really strong,” senior and captain JP Mullins said.However, the team was also aware of Brunswick’s reputation, having only lost one game in the last three seasons. “We knew this team was really good. They have only lost 1 game in the past three seasons and so we knew it was going to be a fight,” Mullins said.The team let this reputation get to their heads slightly, causing Brunswick to gain an early lead, ultimately winning 11-2. “They were really good and just played much more intensity than we did. I think we just didn’t truly expect to stand a chance against those guys so they took a pretty big lead to start the game,” upper Taylor Walshe said.The team made some mistakes and earned many ejections, hurting their cause. Some starters also earned fouls, which was detrimental to the whole team. The team struggled both offensively and defensively in the first three quarters, their psyche affected by Brunswick’s reputation, their early success and Bear Polo’s setbacks.

“They were really good and just played much more intensity than we did. I think we just didn’t truly expect to stand a chance against those guys so they took a pretty big lead to start the game.”

Walshe felt that Exeter’s mistakes, rather than Brunswick’s prowess, was what ultimately cost the game. “They weren’t all that great, we just gave them so many chances to score that we kind of just dug our own grave,” he said.The Canterbury game on the other hand, was more in line with Bear Polo’s previous performance this season. The team won easily, with a final score of 16-3.Exeter’s success in that match allowed the team to put in their younger players, to get insight on the depth of the team. This served as good practice and preparation for the preps and lowers. “For [the younger players], this was the best practice they could’ve gotten because there is no substitution for actually playing the game of water polo in a competitive setting,” upper Will Soltas said.Although the loss to Brunswick and the end of their winning streak was disappointing to the team, they left the tournament with a clearer idea on how to improve and a determination to do so. “On our drive home, of course, we were all feeling down having lost our streak. But you could tell everyone was thinking of ways to improve not only themselves but the entire team and our play style,” Soltas said.Walshe felt that the game served to humble the team after a long streak of easy wins. “We got pretty cocky after whooping a bunch of easy teams during the beginning of the season so the Brunswick loss is a nice reality check,” he said.The Brunswick loss highlighted specific aspects of the team’s gameplay to improve. “Once we get some kinks out of our playing, as well as become stronger in the pool and adjust our offence, I’m sure we can eliminate, or at least reduce the ejections that ultimately cost us the game,” said Soltas.Bear Polo is optimistic and is determined to come back from the loss better than before. “Brunswick opened up some obvious holes in both our play style and training regiment, but I’m sure if we solidify ourselves as the end of the season draws near, we will definitely be a formidable force going into the championship tournament,” Soltas said.