By Wyatt Dojutrek, associate online editor-in-chief
A very unusual opponent came into the Prospect natatorium May 2 to take on the varsity girls’ water polo team on their senior night.
The Latin School of Chicago, which is in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, had a tough time keeping up with the Knights all game.
Even with the unfamiliarity between both of the schools it was the home team Prospect eventually coming out victorious after 28 minutes, 11-3.
The Knights came to play in the first period, scoring seven goals in the first seven minutes, keeping Latin scoreless throughout the first frame.
As it turned out, that was all the Knights were going to need.
Head coach Tori Shields believes that this first period boost helped the girls’ morality against a team they have never faced.
“I think it was a good confidence booster,” Shields said. “Especially leading into sectionals, the girls have a couple of tough games ahead, and it was really good for them to start out that way leading into next week.”
It wasn’t until the five minute mark in the second period when the Romans put up a tally.
Taking in an 8-1 halftime lead, the Knights came out firing in the second half, with multiple of their shots on goal being stopped by the Latin goaltender.
The Romans, however, kept on fighting, putting up a two spot in the third period despite multiple blocked chances by the Knights defense and goalies, junior Jade Gembala and sophomore Maggie Penner.
Shields credits both parties for keeping Chicago Latin to only three goals the entire game.
“They were great,” Shields said. “My girls are really great both fundamentally on defense and whoever is in goal, Jade and Maggie just shut them down.”
The girls will be back in action on May 10 when they play in the varsity quarterfinals against Fremd, a team the Knights beat 8-6 in overtime on April 30.
However, Shields still thinks that the win was for the seniors and their dedication to the program the past four years.
“I think that their very last game at home so its real special for them,” Shields said. “Especially now that we have this beautiful pool, so exciting for them to go out on a high note.”