The boys water polo team is off to a promising start with a current league record of 4-3 in the Ocean division. The Dons are currently tied for third place in league standings with Woodside Priory; however, there are many challenging teams alongside Aragon and the season should continue to be competitive and unpredictable.
“Mills is definitely a rival,” said sophomore wing Aidan Reid. “There is one player on that team who … really knows how to get into our heads and psych us out before a game,” said senior wing player Dante Fuenzalida said.
Despite several intimidating upcoming matches, the team continues to maintain confidence and work together in order to progress with new achievements. The team’s skills are continuing to evolve with the help of every player, especially the leading captain.
“Our captain [senior wing player] Alex [Torres] is great,” Reid said. “He helps motivate the team and make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time.”
“We have a small team, and very few subs,” Torres said, “but with the help of our coach and the inordinate amount of lap swimming we do, we have honed our skills and stamina to the point where we can stand toe to toe with other teams.”
Several games will be held over the upcoming weeks with schools including Burlingame, Mills, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Terra Nova and Woodside Priory.
Aragon played Terra Nova on Sept. 27. In the first quarter, Terra Nova immediately took advantage as the Tigers rapidly swam with the ball in the beginning and suddenly scored a goal. However, the Dons ere quick to come back, winning the quarter 4-2.
“Teamwork helped us,” senior flat player Barsam Shokri Niri said. “We had really good teamwork and had our goalie this time. Last time we didn’t have our goalie.”
Goalie Kelton King successfully made two saves in the first quarter, and six more goals were made in the second quarter. Due to their poor transitions, Terra Nova could barely shoot, leaving the two teams at 10-3.
As Aragon continuously scored more goals, Terra Nova started to give up as the scores became extremely distant. Their effort didn’t become evident until junior Peter Martin missed two shots as Terra Nova’s goalie managed to make a couple of saves. However, they struggled to make anymore goals and Aragon remained in the lead at 15-3.
“We feel pretty good about ourselves,” Fuenzalida said. “However, we do feel that the other team felt cheated because we kept making fast breaks.”
Through the ending fourth quarter, Aragon continuously made progress and held back the other team from making anymore shots. Torres successfully made the last goal, bringing the Dons to their 17-3 victory.
