Wopo Whips PA, Places 2nd Overall
Exeter’s water polo season culminated with the team taking second place at Interschols, triumphing in its first game against Phillips Academy Andover before falling to the Brunswick School in the finals. The tournament was held at Brunswick, and in the first game Big Red scored eleven goals to Andover’s three. In the second match, Exeter scored six goals to Brunswick’s fifteen.
Although the players were disappointed not to win a title, Big Red’s strong record shows the team-members’ determination and improvement over the course of the season.
According to upper Troy Marrero, the captains, seniors Taylor Walshe, Jamie Cassidy and Jackson Parell, were essential in helping the team maintain this determination. “They really wanted to win and never gave up,” Marrero said.
The players showcased their enthusiasm in the match against Andover. Senior Will Soltas said that during the Andover game, “We played some of the best defense that we had ever played as a team.” Big Red stopped Andover from scoring any goals for the first three quarters in the game before lowering their intensity in preparation for the championship match.
Marrero credited Soltas, the team’s goalie, for strong play in the net that helped the team to maintain its lead. “Will Soltas, the whole tournament, was a stone wall,” Marrero said. The combination of Exeter’s strong press defense and Soltas’ solid goalkeeping kept Andover off of the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
Soltas’ skillful play earned him the tie for of Goalie of the Tournament, sharing the award with the Brunswick goalie. Taylor Walshe and Jamie Cassidy also received awards at the Liquid Four tournament, both winning the NEPSAC All Tournament Award. The two seniors combined scored eight of Exeter’s eleven goals in the Andover game. Milo Walshe said, “All the seniors had huge impacts on both playoff games.”
According to Marrero, the team fought hard in its second match against Brunswick. “The championship game was certainly a tough one, but we couldn’t get it done,” Marrero said. Although the team was unable to triumph in its final game, the match highlighted Exeter’s strengths and helped the team learn areas to improve upon next year.
Milo Walshe explained, “Our team’s best strength is our ability to adapt mid-game to different tactics used by opponents. If one of our players is being shut down, someone else will quickly step up.”
Along with the team’s strength in adapting to unforeseen challenges, the players credit their team dynamic with contributing to their successful season. Marrero said, “I will never forget this season.” He added, “Without the team we had, we wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.”
Soltas agreed that the close friendships between players contributed to the team’s strong record, and added that being a member of the water polo team has improved his time at Exeter. “Everyone is so friendly, so driven, so genuine, it’s hard not to feel included and valued on the team,” Soltas said. “The seniors, with their sense of humor and work ethic, have become some of my closest friends and I wouldn’t give them up for anything.”C