Enumclaw's Girls Water Polo Team hosted the defending State champion Gig Harbor Tides on Saturday, and lost a defensive battle to the visitors, 7-5.
Defense was the theme of the game, as both teams were held scoreless for the game's first 4:36, when Gig Harbor's Lora Donaldson scored. Hornet Erin Stucker tied the game on a penalty shot nearly two and a half minutes into the second period. The Tides scored on their next possession, and added another goal on a power play, to take a 3-1 advantage into halftime.
Gig Harbor added two in the third quarter, but Annie Birklid scored for Enumclaw, for a 5-2 Gig Harbor lead going into the final period.
The Tides scored a minute into the period, but the Hornets scratched their way back, scoring three consecutive goals in two and a half minutes, to get within one, 6-5, with 90 seconds left in the game. Enumclaw missed on their next opportunities, and Julia Ponce put the game away for Gig Harbor with her third goal of the game with 30 seconds left.
The Enumclaw squad finishes their regular season next week, with a Tuesday game at Lakes High School, and a home game against Puyallup on Thursday. The Hornets will begin State tournament play the following Wednesday, May 18, at Rogers High School, in Puyallup, WA.
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Follow the Enumclaw (WA) High School Water Polo Teams on Twitter @EnumclawPolo and Instagram @EnumclawWaterPolo. You can contact us by email at enumclawpolo@gmail.com