POTTSTOWN--The Patriots faced some stiff competition at the 2017 Waterpolooza Tournament hosted by The Hill School. The round robin tournament featured nine girls’ teams and nine boys’ teams. The tournament format included four, six-minute quarters with two-minute breaks between quarters. 

The Patriots took on two Suburban One League powerhouses and fared well. Against Pennridge High School, GA finished in a 10-10 tie.  After a slow start, the boys used a 4-1 fourth quarter run to end their Waterpolooza opener with a draw.  

"Pennridge is a tough, physical, and talented team that has played in the state tournament the past few years," said GA Head Coach Mike Koziol. "We came out too flat and they took advantage of our mistakes with a quick counter attack. We showed, yet again, that we have the conditioning to wear teams down and out perform them in the fourth quarter. With usual starting goalie Henry Grady away on a recruiting trip Justin Stokes stepped in and played another outstanding game in goal, stopping countless good looks."

GA STATS:

• Finn Lillis – 5 goals, 3 assists, 2 ejections drawn, 3 steals
• Walker Butler – 4 goals
• Brian Bartle 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 ejection drawn, 1 steal
• Jack Forde – 1 assist, 1 ejection drawn, 1 steal
• Justin Stokes – 18 saves, 2 steals, 4 assists

The Patriots followed up their draw against Pennridge by defeating perennial powerhouse Souderton Area Senior High School, 14-8.

"Souderton was another fast and physical opponent," noted Koziol. "The game got to be a bit chippy, but our boys did a good job of continuing to execute our gameplan as Souderton ramped up their intensity.  We were able to give a few guys more playing opportunities than they would generally get and they really shone in those opportunities. Louie Porter got the starting nod and played a great two-way game and Patrick O’Hara made an impact on the defensive end.  All Patriots that traveled got to play in the game."

GA STATS:

• Jack Forde – 4 goals, 4 assists, 2 ejections drawn
• Finn Lillis – 4 goals, 1 block
• Walker Butler – 2 goals, 2 assists
• Jake Rabbiner – 2 goals
• Brian Bartle – 1 goal, 3 assists, 2 ejections drawn
• Louie Porter – 1 goal, 1 ejection drawn, 1 block
• Justin Stokes – 8 saves, 2 steals, 2 assists