Senior Heather MacNeil scored two goals, assisted on a third and registered four steals to lead Women’s Water Polo to a 5-4 victory over Olympia and with it, the team’s second consecutive Metro West Conference Championship and third in four years. DP, which extended its record winning streak to 11 games, clawed back from a one-goal deficit in the second quarter when sophomore Jacqueline James took a pass from MacNeil and went cross cage for the tying goal to make it 1-1. Three minutes later, sophomore Emily Kliewer gave the Panthers (16-5) the lead for good when she took a pass from Allie Magrino and shoved it into the right corner to make it 2-1 through halftime. Heather MacNeil’s penalty shot goal with 3:16 left in the third quarter pushed the lead to 3-1 before Olympia responded with their second score of the night two minutes later. But Heather MacNeil came through again with her second goal, a laser into the upper right 90 off a Magrino assist, and the lead pushed back up to 4-2 after three quarters. While the DP defense was exceptional in a furious fourth quarter, the Panthers offensive woes continued as shot after shot clanged off the crossbar and each post. If, according to Newton, every action has an equal and opposite reaction, then DP’s collective misfortune was repaid in one solitary play that will forever be remembered as the Jack and Jill Goal. After Olympia scored again to pull within one, 4-3, Jacqueline James drove down the right side and lofted a beautiful pass into the hole set for sophomore Jillian Goulden. But Goulden couldn’t slip free in time to catch the pass, which she, instead, headed into the back of the net…perfectly legal as well, thank you very much…to give the Panthers a 5-3 lead and the eventual victory. While the offensive stats weren’t gaudy, the defensive stats were noteworthy. The Panthers collected 19 steals; six by Allie Magrino and four by Heather MacNeil, and goaltender Marissa Goodrum registered a career-high 15 saves. DP hosts the District Tournament next Tuesday. They’lll face University at 5:10 pm.
After the ladies hoisted their Metro trophy, Men’s Water Polo jumped into the pool and quickly jumped all over Olympia to the tune of a 17-9 victory to seal their third consecutive Metro West Championship. DP (15-1) was led by junior Ian Supra with a game-high seven goals to go with two assists and a pair of steals. The Panthers found the back of the net six times in the opening quarter and another five in both the second and third quarters to build a 16-6 lead before calling off the dogs in the final period. Senior Reed Davis scored three goals, assisted on three more and added two steals while sophomore Evan Staton filled the stat sheet with two goals, four assists, three steals and four field blocks. Other key contributors included Parker Sellers (two goals, two steals), Anshul Devnani (goal, assist), Andrew Sweet (goal), Barrett Brinker (goal, assist, two steals), Ian Perkins (two assists, three steals) and goaltender Nik Lachinski (11 saves). The Panthers have now won ten straight games and will fly to St. Louis tomorrow for the grueling DeSmet Invitational. They’ll open up against private school power Chaminade HS Friday at 4:40 pm. Next week they’ll also host the District Tournament starting Tuesday against Timber Creek at 7:30 pm.
Flag Football rolled into Olympia riding an undefeated record and shutouts in five of their first six wins…and they kept on rolling with a 26-0 victory over the host Titans. Freshman Diamond Alford had a tremendous game with a touchdown reception, three interceptions on defense as well as five flag pulls. DP (7-0) now has six shutouts in seven games and has outscored their opposition, 260-6. The schedule heats up considerably this weekend, however, with Tallahassee Lincoln, Tallahassee Leon and defending State Champion Seminole Ridge coming into town.
Women’s Tennis (11-7) squared off against host Winter Park in the Regional Tournament but Winter Park was simply too much to handle as they shut down the short handed Panthers in all six matches. While the team’s season may be complete, District line one singles champion Alizee Michaud and her doubles partner Sarah Baron will both compete in the State Championship tournament next week at Sanlando Park.
Tough night for both Women’s Lacrosse, Softball and Men’s Volleyball as well. Michaela Decker scored three goals for Women’s Lax but they fell to Olympia, 10-6, to fall to 13-2 on the season. Softball was blanked by host Pine Castle Christian, 9-0, as their record fell back to 12-12. Men’s Volleyball was bested by Timber Creek in straight sets, 25-19, 25-20, 26-24. Nana Kwarteng led DP (9-6) with 10 digs.
