Both of Gilroy’s varsity water polo teams were headed in the
right direction Thursday, but in the case of the male Mustangs, it
still didn’t result in the outcome they were wishing for.
Gilroy – Both of Gilroy’s varsity water polo teams were headed in the right direction Thursday, but in the case of the male Mustangs, it still didn’t result in the outcome they were wishing for.
The boys dropped their second game in league play (0-2) to Robert Louis Stevenson 10-6 after pulling within two goals, 8-6, in the fourth period. Eric Boe scored his fifth and final goal of the game to help bring the team back from a 7-2 deficit, but two goals by RLS sealed the victory.
After the game, Boe conceded that team still had a long ways to go despite playing better than it had in previous contests.
“I don’t know, some of our shots weren’t that good,” he said. “They were making some perimeter shots that we should have ended up blocking. We can get a lot better. If we work on our fundamentals we can do a lot more – just learning how to make better passes and creating more scoring opportunities.”
Brandon Creswell also provided a goal for the Mustangs.
GHS coach Tom Clark agreed that mistakes were made, but applauded the overall effort put forth by the team.
“Our shooting was not very good,” Clark said. “We had the ball, we outshot the other team, but we’re not putting it in the cage.
“The (players) hustled better in this game, we got a lot of people open,” he continued. “A lot of times we were just shooting ourselves in the foot. The effort was there, the hustle was there. I was really pleased.”
Girls Varsity
Supported by a nine-goal performance by Jenny Ailes, the Mustangs outpaced RLS in its game, winning 15-9 to move to 2-0 overall.
The senior captain said she had trouble paying attention in class Wednesday, but with a greater approach to the game by all team members, this season has a different feel.
“We’ve got more confidence in our team than we’ve had in the past,” Ailes said. “(We’re) finally looking forward to victory. Once we lost a game (last year) people would be like, ‘What’s the use, were going to lose another one.’ ”
“It seems like this year more people are taking it seriously,” junior Megan Collett chimed in.
Collett also added two goals of her own in the game, including one superb lob-shot over the goalkeeper’s outstretched arms.
“I couldn’t believe I did that,” Collett said. “I just went with my instincts. I just threw the ball and hoped it went in.”
GHS coach Andy Been wasn’t so modest when assessing Collett’s skill set.
“Megan Collett had a couple really key goals when she broke loose,” he said. “She had a couple of those really high lob-shots that are her patent.”
He also praised the play of his star player, who is in the hunt to lead the TCAL in scoring this season.
“(Ailes) was out of her mind,” Been said. “She scored out of the hole, she scored out on the wing, she scored from mid-court … that’s typical of what she does. She’s not afraid to drive with the ball anywhere or taking on three players. I’m looking for more girls to show spunk like that.”
Elaina Osaki continued her exceptional play for a first-year player, scoring two goals. Lauren Van Herk and Alex Marshal, each contributed a goal as well.
“It’s a pleasant surprise to be 2-0 and beat a strong team,” Been said. “It was what I wished for. I expected it too, because I’ve had these girls for four years … Now I don’t have to tell them where to go. I can change plays during the game and they can just adjust … It’s a total change in our skill level.”
