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Water Polo Squads Split For First Time At Mason, Princeton Invitationals

Posted on: August 24, 2017

SETTING THE SCENE: After a two-week hiatus following the opening to the 2017 season, both Milford High School water polo squads are back in the water this weekend at local tournaments in Greater Cincinnati. Both Eagles’ teams started the season with a 1-3 record at the Napoleon Invitational and will look to improve on that mark this weekend. The boys team is up first, opening play on Friday (Aug. 25) in the first of the two-day Mason Invitational. The girls squads is back at it one day later, participating in the Princeton Invitational.

 

THE BOYS REPORT: Game 1 vs. St. Charles: The Eagles’ season-opener resulted in a 14-4 setback to an always competitive St. Charles squad. Goals were scored by Kam Weaver, Braeden Kennedy, and Branham Leavens. The defense was led by Jan Rae Chavez and Leavens who had three steals each and Tyler Blimeline and Matthew Marks with three blocks each.

 

Game 2 vs. Upper Arlington: Despite goals scored by Kam Weaver, Matt Schnelle, and Braeden Kennedy, Milford fell 9-5 to Upper Arlington.  Schnelle led the defensive front with five steals. According to head coach Kevin Metzger, “This was an amazing game! We were down the entire game, but started to tighten the score differential during the fourth quarter. Our crew showed enough mental toughness to rally during the fourth quarter and start scoring more goals. UA is always a tough team, and we had a great showing against them.”

 

Game 3 vs. St. Francis: Game number three of the weekend saw Milford fall to St. Francis, 11-4. Goals were scored by Jan Rae Chavez, Branham Leavens, and Evan Higgins. The defensive front was led by Tyler Blimeline with three steals in goal and Matthew Marks, also in goal, with six blocks.

 

Game 4 Milford vs. Napoleon: The boys scored win number of the year with a 9-4 victory over Napoleon. Goals were scored by Kam Weaver, Matt Schnelle, Braeden Kennedy, Jan Rae Chavez and Branham Leavens. The defense was led by Chavez and Leavens with multiple steals each.

 

THE GIRLS REPORT: Game 1 vs. Kilbourne: The Eagles lost to Kilbourne 11-6 in their season opener, despite a three-goal effort by Ellen Victory. Milford goalies, Carly Mills and Natalie Kunes helped the team with four blocks and three blocks, respectively. Other goals were scored by Megan Krieger, Stephanie Karan, and Halle Fontaine. Jill Krieger led the defense with multiple steals that led to goals being scored.

 

Game 2 vs. Sylvania: Milford took home its first win of the year, besting Sylvania, 11-8. The team was led by Ellen Victory (four goals) and Halle Fontaine (three goals). Other goals were scored by Megan Krieger, Zoe Huxell, Jill Krieger, and Sam Chumley. The defense was led by Megan Krieger who captured the most steals throughout the game.

 

Game 3 vs. Thomas Worthington: The Eagles third match-up of the invitational resulted in a 12-6 defeat to an extremely competitive Thomas Worthington squad. A majority of the Milford starting line-up for this game scored one goal. Natalie Kunes had four major blocks for the game in goal.

 

Game 4 vs. Napoleon: In the Eagles final match-up of the weekend, the Eagles fell by an 11-3 score to defending state runner-up from 2016, Napoleon. The Eagles benefited from single goals by Stephanie Karan, Ellen Victory and Halle Fontaine.

 

COACH SPEAK: Head coach Kevin Metzger shared these thoughts on the season-opening Napoleon Invitational: “Both of our teams are very new. We have returning leadership and experience, but the team dynamic is very new in that we graduated many seniors on both sides last year. Both teams need to learn how to play together as well as figure out their strengths and weaknesses. It is going to take time, but both teams have so much potential for a successful season. Alot of growth was shown over the weekend and the athletes showed growth in the pool individually as well as growth within the team.”

 

POLL TALK: In the latest Ohio High School Water Polo rankings, the Eagles boys squad is ranked ninth in the state, while their female counterparts sit eighth. The rankings are computed with a unique formula where Teams earn two points for a winning record in a series against any Ohio team. If the series is tied, each team will earn one point. A team will earn zero points for a losing record in a series. The number of points is divided by the number of series played for an overall score. Games against non-Ohio teams do not count in the rankings but are reported in the overall record.

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