By Sandra Genidy
The Fountain Valley High School boys’ varsity water polo team lost against the Edison High School Chargers on Wednesday at Los Alamitos High School. The Barons put up a good fight but were defeated 5-15.
The first quarter was fast-paced with Edison quickly gaining the lead, scoring four points in the first five minutes. In retaliation, senior Benjamin Merrill scored the Barons’ first goal with an impressive backhand shot, breaking through the Chargers’ defense. The Barons kept fighting hard, but Edison broke through and ended the quarter with a score of 1-8.
Despite the slow start, the Barons began to play more aggressively, working to keep Edison from scoring. After a few minutes of back-and-forth, junior Daigo Fujita scored a point for the Barons, but Edison responded with two more points. The two teams battled it out with sophomore Peter Thinh and senior Nathan Tran putting up impressive blocks. Junior Ruben Andelin scored in the closing moments of the quarter, making the score 3-10.
The third quarter began with the Barons struggling to block the Chargers’ shots, allowing them to score two points. The Barons continuously tried to score until Fujita strafed around Edison’s goalie to land a point. Edison scored once more at the end of the quarter, bringing the score to 4-13.
The fourth quarter began with both teams moving more quickly. Edison scored twice, but the Barons fought back with Thinh scoring the game’s final point, bringing the score to 5-15.
Coach Kyle Adama admits that the game could have gone better.
“We didn’t stick to our game plan. We have adjustments we need to make for the next time we play them,” Adama said.
The Barons will battle the Marina Vikings at Corona Del Mar High School on Wendesday, Oct. 6 at 6:20 p.m.
