Varsity boys water polo loses to Saratoga

Two Harker team members try to prevent a Saratoga player from passing the ball as one of his teammates swims towards them.

Two Harker team members try to prevent a Saratoga player from passing the ball as one of his teammates swims towards them.

Varsity boys water polo lost 16-12 to the Saratoga Falcons in a non-league home game today at 3:30 p.m.

Saratoga led seven to four at halftime, scoring nine goals in the second half of the game to the Eagles’ eight. The Falcons, some of the boys’ top league competitors, are currently 2-0 in the league and 5-2 overall.

Many people came to watch the game, chanting “I believe that we can win,” “Harker Eagles,” and the names of team members. After the game, girls’ water polo team member Samantha Yanovsky (9) commented on the enthusiasm.

“I was really happy about how many people showed up and were cheering them on, and the game went well,” Yanovsky said. “[The boys team] did good.”

Spectator Dhanush Madabusi, a senior, also expressed his thoughts on the game.

“[The Harker team] did real good. They put out a real valiant effort,” Madabusi said. “[Saratoga] didn’t show as much passion as we did.”

Meanwhile, boys water polo coach Ted Ujifusa expressed his expectations for the team’s performance.

“We could have played better,” Ujifusa said. “I didn’t think that the other team was that much better than us and we have more room to improve, so I’m looking forward to playing the other team again.”

Team captain Edward Sheu (12) voiced similar views.

“We made a lot of mistakes, and they capitalized on them. In terms of ability, I think that we can match them,” Sheu said. “I definitely think that next time we play, in the league tournament, we’re going to be looking to beat them.”

The team’s last game against Saratoga was closer but still a loss, with a final score of 11-10.

Junior varsity boys water polo won 11-2 when they played Saratoga at 4:30 p.m., while girls water polo played Monta Vista at 6:45.

The varsity team’s next game will be at Homestead next Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.