In every great sports movie a team always comes into the season strong, crushing many of their opponents along the way. They work hard to succeed and manage to get good results. The SLUH water polo team is no exception, if you exclude the movie part. 

                On Tuesday, the Bills had their first regular season game against the Chaminade Red Devils. Chaminade was the first team that the varsity team had played last year and the game ended in a 11-8 win for SLUH. The varsity team was ready to see how they compared to the Red Devils this year after four hard weeks of practice. 

Parents and alumni were able to watch the game in person, a rare occasion for both the JV and varsity teams. The fans were excited and there were cheers from the stands throughout the entire game. 

Only 10 of the possible 15 players were able to play in the game, limiting the depth the team could have going in. As the varsity team jumped in the water and awaited the swimoff, (the start of every quarter where the the fastest player on each team will race for the ball at half) the deck fell quiet. A whistle was blown and junior Brandon Harris raced towards the ball. 

SLUH’s first goal came shortly after, when an opposing field player and the goalie were both kicked out for 20 seconds because of a penalty. With a 6-on-5 advantage and the goal wide open, Harris notched the first goal. The Bills went on to score a whopping seven more goals by the end of the first quarter (Harris, Brawer, Zarilli, Brugnara (3), French). 

SLUH maintained their momentum in the second quarter. They used their speed and instinct to catch the Red Devils off guard and managed to score another 8 goals by the end of the first half (Brawer, Zarrilli, Brugnara, Harris (2), French (2), Nester).

Although the Bills had used counters for almost every goal their energy was not depleted. Even though they only had four possible subs, they were refueled after the break like a NASCAR ready to fly after its pitstop.

In the second half the Bills maintained their control over the game scoring another FOUR goals in the third quarter (McDaniel, Brawer, Fennewald, Harris), which brought their total up to 20 goals. Meanwhile, junior goalie Christopher St. John stopped all three shot he faced in the quarter.

The Jr. Bills finished their first game off with three more goals (Brawer, French, Schroeder), ending the game at an impressive 23-4.

 “It’s always good to get the first one out of the way, and the team played well,” said head coach John Penilla.

The JV team also dominated its game against the Red Devils. Although the Devils scored the first goal, SLUH was able to bring it back by scoring five goals before the end of the first quarter. The team managed to extend the score ending the first half with a 11-1 score. 

In the second half the overwhelming number of subs that the JV team had allowed them to wear down their opponents and win the match with a final score of 18-4. The sophomore trio of Tommy Riley, Luke Figge, and Henry Molner proved to be too strong for the Red Devils. Riley scored a third of the team’s goals, Figge had five steals, and goalie Molner managed to assist four goals. 

Prior to this victory the SLUH team managed to clinch a win in a tournament of four games at the annual Parkway West Tournament. The Jr. Bills won every match with ease, but in the finals the Bills were up against the Parkway West Longhorns, a big rival for the Bills. SLUH was unshaken, though, and went on to play an excellent game. Their impenetrable defense held the Longhorns to only three goals. They won the match 10-3.

“We still have a lot to work on but we are in a good spot” reflected JV coach Paul Baudendistel. ““It's great to start the year playing some of the top JV teams.”

Both of the starting goalies, senior Nick Figge (varsity) and Molner (JV)  proved to be vital for the Jr. Bills. Both goalies were like an impenetrable wall with arms, limiting the goals opposing teams scored to a minimum. In the varsity game, Figge allowed a mere two goals and had two saves.

“I was excited to finally see (Figge) start” said Penilla. “He has been working very hard”. 

Molner is a unique case, as he only started playing water polo four weeks ago. Still, Baudendistel feels he’s had a great start to the season.

On Friday the varsity team is headed to Chicago for the York Tournament. This will be the first time in three years that the Bills will be able to participate in this tournament. 

“The Chicago teams are very good,” noted senior captain Sam French. “We will put up a good fight”. 

“The goal is to play our best and execute our plays,” Penilla agreed. “I am excited to see how we do.”