Photo by Tiffany Xiao ’23
The Boys’ Varsity Water Polo team won their season opener, 11-6, against Deerfield Academy on September 18. The Larry Hart Pool was packed with an electric audience eager to see the first Choate water polo game in two years. Suffice to say, they were not disappointed. Although Deerfield scored quickly at the start of the game, Co-captain Priam Alataris ’22 was able to convert on a counterattack, scoring less than a minute later. Alataris was ecstatic and remembered “looking up to see the stands packed with supporters cheering their heads off.” He had “never seen that amount of love and support for water polo in my four years at Choate.” Shortly after, Choate maintained their aggression, despite a disallowed goal from Sam Anastasio ’23. The energy from the crowd only intensified as the boys’ team increased their lead by three points. After two more goals from Alataris, as well as one from Co-captain Kevin Chang ’22, the first quarter ended with Choate leading 4-2.
Choate continued to dominate throughout the second quarter, growing the lead by two points after both Chang and Alataris scored again. With the aid of a series of stellar saves by goalie Garret Curtis ’24, Choate ended the half in the lead, 6-2. Although the team had a deep bench, Co-captain Gavin Doak ’22 noted that the aggression and physicality that the sport demands played a major factor in the fatigue that players on both sides experienced later in the game.
Halftime proved to be a crucial rest for the Choate team, allowing them to build an even greater lead off of their four point advantage. While Deerfield scored one goal in the third period, Chang managed to put in two, and Jackson Haught ’24 and Chris Childs ’24 were able to score one goal. To end the quarter, Tyler Kwee ’24, scored a buzzer-beater shot over the Deerfield goalie’s arms, bumping the score 11-3 going into the final quarter.
By the fourth quarter, both teams appeared sluggish in the water, with Choate losing communication and movement while on offense in particular. Despite Curtis’ skill and experience as goalie, Deerfield was able to close the lead to a five point difference. With only a few minutes left, both Choate and Deerfield had sporadic, yet unsuccessful shots on goal.
The team concluded their game against Deerfield victorious, 11-6. Alataris, a leading goal scorer for that game, described the game in one word: “surreal.”
Doak admitted that games could be “pretty nerve racking,” but asserted that once in the water, “it just becomes doing something we’re passionate about.” While beginning the season with a dominant win over Deerfield is always exciting, the experience was even more meaningful for the Captains and teammates who were deprived of the opportunity to play a real game in two years. Chang said, “I’ve missed playing water polo, and I’ve missed competing.”
