Tigers Split Twin Bill With Trojans
The North Allegheny water polo team hosted the McDowell Trojans on Tuesday and came away with a doubleheader split. The NA boys’ team earned a dominant 20-8 victory, while the NA girls’ team fell by a 14-7 decision.
The boys’ contest started the festivities, and the Tigers wasted little time as junior Max LaFuria converted a steal into a goal just 15 seconds into the game for an immediate 1-0 lead. The opening seconds set the tone for the contest as NA grabbed a 13-5 lead by halftime and coasted in the second half for a 20-8 victory. Junior co-captain Filip Malezanov paced the NA onslaught with a nine-goal performance to garner Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.
Senior co-captain Bryce Miller was outstanding on defense and also tallied four goals, while LaFuria and Stephen Somple each scored a pair. Other NA goal scorers included Chace Li, Stephen Somple and Luke Maxwell to round out the victory. Sophomore goalie Gannon Brooks got the start and played three strong quarters before giving way to freshman Patrick Snyder in the final stanza.
For McDowell, Brody Caldwell led the visitors with a hat trick.
In the nightcap, the NA Girls trailed 3-1 after three quarters before back-to-back goals by Margarita Tokareva and Selin Emekter tied the score at 3-3 with 5:04 remaining in the second quarter. Tokareva finished the night with a pair of markers, earning her Wright Automotive Player of the Game laurels.
Despite NA’s first-half momentum, McDowell regained control and rattled off seven consecutive goals to take a 10-3 lead by the early stages of the fourth quarter. Seniors Lilly Ulzii and Makenzie Elias led the charge with seven and six goals, respectively, as the Trojans rolled to a 14-7 win.
Along with Tokareva, Emekter also totaled two goals. Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, junior Siya Bhonsale provided some impressive minutes for the younger Tigers with a hat trick.
Following Tuesday’s night’s action, the NA boys’ improve to 4-6 on the season, while the NA girls’ fall to 1-8. The Tigers return to the pool next week at McDowell on Tuesday, October 5.
