Water polo: Stevenson boys, girls sweep sectional titles

It was Patriots Day at the pool at Libertyville Saturday.

Stevenson’s girls water polo team remained unbeaten by holding off a furious fourth quarter rally to beat Libertyville 8-6 to win the girls sectional title.

Right after, the Stevenson boys water polo team scored on its first three possessions and then never looked back as the Patriots, led by Armeet Gill’s triple hat trick, swam past Libertyville 16-10 to win the boys sectional title.

The Stevenson girls team will be seeking their third consecutive title at the state finals which begin next Thursday at Stevenson. The Patriots (33-0) will meet Evanston, who Stevenson beat in last year’s title game, in the quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Stevenson was without top goal scorer Olivia Speth, who was in California at the U.S. National team tryout. Girls head coach Jeff Wimer knew about the tryout months ago and has been planning accordingly.

“They stepped up, and that is without Olivia (Speth),” Wimer said. “I told our girls that they are a team. And it is a lot more than one player, it is all of you. We have been playing in situations without Olivia this season and they were ready for it.”

The Patriots showed how prepared they were when Dhanani Seneviratne scored twice for a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Libertyville’s Maya Anderson tallied and Jillian Carlson followed up with a goal for Stevenson as the Patriots let 3-1 at the half.

Carlson and teammate Caroline Bichkoff scored within 25 seconds of each other in the final minute of the third period. That, along with sterling goalkeeping by Elsa Kusevskis, gave Stevenson what appeared to be an insurmountable 5-1 lead.

Libertyville (22-4), which had lost 5-4 earlier this season to Stevenson, had other ideas as the final period was all gas and no brakes.

Kaitlyn Galloway and Anderson each scored in the opening minute of the final quarter to cut the lead to 5-3. Stevenson came back to score on Arohi Mathur’s tally, but Libertyville answered again on another goal by Galloway to make it 6-4.

After a goal by Bichkoff, Libertyville’s Ciara Simpson scored a pair of the goals within 20 seconds of each other. The second was a penalty shot with 1:30 to play and suddenly the Wildcats trailed by just one at 7-6.

Stevenson got some breathing room when Raina Dastagir scored at 1:06 to make it 8-6. Libertyville had a chance to get closer, but Kusevskis turned away a penalty shot with 37.8 seconds left to preserve the win.

“I was really proud of my play, especially in the first half,” said Kusevskis, who had 15 saves, 6 steals and an assist.

“My team did really well. I was happy with my blocks and I saved a 5-meter (penalty shot) and that was nice.”

Carlson, who also had 6 steals and an assist to go with her goal, said that it was a complete team effort in the victory.

“We could not have done this without playing as a team,” Carlson said. “Together we played not as individuals and our offense was looking to score.”

Libertyville coach Tracy Balla said that her team never quit.

“This is a team that has dug deep all season never given up,” Balla said. “They communicate so well. And they play their best when they feel pressure and they felt the pressure today.”

Boys final: The Stevenson boys team had very little drama in their convincing victory. The Patriots tallied on four of their first five possessions on their way to an 8-1 lead. Gill had four of his career-high 9 goals during that span.

“I was just in the flow and excited to play,” said Gill, who is a junior and moved from attack to center.

“This is a testament to the work I have put in this season. I played out of position because on an injury. So I had to step up and fill a role.”

The Patriots, who finished second in the state the past two seasons, advance to the state finals for the fifth consecutive year. The Patriots (22-10) will play York in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We are still a young team,” Stevenson coach Sean Wimer said. “But we are also an explosive team. When we are focused and ready to go, the sky is the limit. Armeet (Gill) was really fun to watch.”

Kenny Weisner and Wes Linnenburger each scored twice for the Patriots. Adesh Arvind, Levi Schnulle and Hudson Swanson also scored for Stevenson.

Ted Stouffer and Will Kopecky each scored goals for Libertyville (17-11). Nate Stouffer added a pair of goals.

“We knew that Stevenson is a talented team and they play a fast-paced game,” Libertyville coach Kara Glerman said. “I am proud of the way we played in the second half. I thought we played a pretty even game there.”