The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Bulldogs fall in season opener
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007
Chelsea's girls' water polo team opened its season losing to Holt-East Lansing 17-7 March 27.
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Despite the loss, Bulldog coach Brian Thomas remained positive.
"I'm seeing a lot of positive play and learning by our girls," he said. "I'm expecting that we continue to surprise some teams with how we can hang in there with them."
Chelsea fell behind 4-0 in the first quarter. With 28 seconds left in the opening frame, Bulldog Tori Salas scored, cutting the Holt-Lansing lead to 4-1.
In the second quarter, Chelsea scored two unanswered goals as Rachel Kaminsky and Salas hit the back of the net, trimming the Holt-East Lansing advantage to 4-3.
Holt-East Lansing responded, however, scoring four straight goals taking an 8-3 lead into the third quarter.
In the third stanza, Bulldog captains Erika Purdy and Ally Rodgers, along with Julie Adams each scored one goal.
In the fourth quarter, junior Danielle Schulze scored Chelsea's final goal.
"Due to this being our first game with new coaches, new philosophy and new girls, I think we did well," Thomas said. "We'll only continue to get better. I saw many things we were doing right tonight. But we need to focus on swimming and creating scoring opportunities."
In the JV match, the Bulldogs lost 6-5.
"This was a very exciting match between two very evenly matched teams," Thomas said.
Dani Williams scored for Chelsea in the first quarter, tying the game at 1-1.
In the second quarter, Vinisha Rana and Sarah Daniels scored for the Bulldogs, giving Chelsea a 3-1 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Williams scored her second goal of the game upping the Bulldogs' lead to 4-1.
Holt-East Lansing answered with four goals ending the third frame leading 5-4.
In the fourth quarter, Rana scored tying the contest at 5-5.
With time winding down, Holt-East Lansing scored for the night's final margin.
"I'm very happy with the play of our JV," Thomas said. "Most of these girls were playing in their first game ever. They seem to have a grasp on the basics of water polo.
"Our goaltending and play in both zones was quite pleasing tonight. If we continue to focus on the basics, this team can really build a foundation for the future of this program."
Chelsea next hosts Okemos April 12 at 6 p.m.
On April 13, the Bulldogs travel to Saline for a game at 6 p.m.
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