Water Polo: A Superior Canyon Beat the Hawks, 13-5

                                      Goalie Jacob Munoz starting the offense after missed goal by Canyon.

Canyon Lake Boys Water Polo were upended by a strong and experienced Canyon HS team losing, 13-5.

                                Go Hawks!!

The Lake started strong in their first quarter in keeping within striking distance with shots on goal that would have tied the game during that early going.

“Knowing today’s opponent has more polo experience and this being our 2nd game, we were “playing to learn,” Head Coach Page Small surmised. “Specifically defense and shot selection will be our emphasis for the next few practices. The players are eager to learn and apply and that is all any Coach would ask for.”

Shots on goal was certainly a work in progress as this contest had many shots to the middle of the net which allowed Canyon to go on offense quicker.

Canyon Lake started scoring later in this game with Levi Garner leading the team with 4 goals and was followed with a one goal game for Ryan Alvarez.

Milo Martin-Rider was held scoreless in this battle but he did respond with 2 assists and led CL with 4 steals.

Ryan Alvarez, being one of the tallest players for, The Lake, talked about his goal and his trouble playing on the shallow end of the pool, “When I am playing on the shallow side I have to crunch up my legs especially on defense and then I lose focus because I’m concentrating on not touching the bottom of the pool.”

Ryan Alvarez & Levi Garner have started their Water Polo career in style.

On what he thinks about the game? “I love it!! It is a good work out and I get to be in the water and this is a full body workout.”

Ryan Alvarez was instrumental in last week’s win over Pieper when he blocked a pass which Garner took and scored the winning goal with time running out during that final period.

“It (goal) was scored in the last seconds and it felt like a movie,” Spielberg Garner remembered. “My heart was running and I just had to get myself open and then I just went for it!!”

Were you happy for the goal? “Yes, I was happy but I didn’t have time to enjoy it because I had to get back on defense.”

On thoughts playing Water Polo? “At first it was awkward and new but I’m on the swim team and I just needed to get the fundamentals so being in the water on shallow or deep end is not as much of a problem.”

Canyon Lake will swim to Davenport for their Tuesday bout September 13th and hoping for another win!!

Way to GO HAWKS!!

Game Stats:

Canyon 13 Canyon Lake 5

Levi Garner        4 goals   1 assist
Ryan Alvarez       1 goal    1 steal   1 field save
Milo Martin-Rider  2 assists 4 steals
Cole Coffee        3 steals
Jackson Alvarez    1 assist  1 steal
Jacob Munoz        1 assist
Chief Rendon       1 steal