A late run for the Menlo girls varsity water polo team came up just short in the CCS Open Quarterfinals as the Knights fell to the St. Francis Lancers on Saturday, Nov 4 when they fell to the Lancers by a score of 8-7 for the second time this season. The Lancers proved undefeated in all three matches between the two teams this season. Last year, the Knights also lost in the quarterfinals of the tournament to Los Gatos.
The Lancers started off strong with the first possession and found the back of the net right away. Senior Kenya Cassidy responded two possessions later with a goal. The half ended with the Lancers ahead 6-3. While the Lancers scored at the beginning of the second half, the Knights turned on the jets going on a 4-0 run, including a penalty shot to tie the game from Cassidy.
Freshman goalkeeper Sophia Maldonado credits the comeback to the team’s high energy. “We all came into the third quarter with a really positive attitude,” Maldonado said. “Our team built each other up.”
However, the Lancers scored again and the Knights offense went quiet for the remainder of the game. Maldonado reflects on what the team needed to have done to come out with the win. “I think we just needed to come out a bit harder,” Maldonado said. “We needed to bring the energy we had in the third quarter into the first quarter.” The CCS loss marks the end of the Knights 11-13 season.
Junior Sofia Flierl is thankful for all the seniors who made this season special. “I’m really proud of our seniors and all the work and commitment they’ve put in these four years,” Flierl said. “I’m really going to miss them.”
