Skyline tops Huron in consolation game of water polo state tournament
Say what you will about using polls to determine a national champion in college football, but give the Michigan Water Polo Association rankings some credit.
After the group's final poll of the regular season came out last week, there was one thing left to decide: Is Skyline or Huron the third-best team in the state.
Skyline provided that answer Saturday evening, handing Huron a convincing 13-5 loss in the third-place game of the state tournament held at the Zeeland Natatorium.
Later in the evening, Okemos held up its No. 1 ranking by beating No. 2 Rockford, 6-3, in the championship game.
Skyline and Huron were tied for third place in the final poll and found themselves playing for that position at the state tournament after semifinal losses early Saturday. Okemos beat Skyline, 9-6, and Rockford beat Huron, 8-3.
The Eagles were led offensively by Stassia McGlothlin and Susie Stevens who each netted four goals against Huron.
Skyline coach Rebecca Godek said she is proud of her young team's finish.
"I'm happy with the entire weekend," she said. "For a group of girls that have never been to a state championship, third place is a great accomplishment."
Sweetening the deal is Skyline's youth. The Eagles have no seniors on their roster.
"Thats the best part of this season," said Godek. "We had fun, we achieved and everyone is coming back."
Comments
bill
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
It is sad that you put into question a game that was so lopsided on the score sheet. To say that that play was the reason why huron was out played is ignorant at best. While the Huron girl may have not had the ball she was making an attempt to steal the ball. The play in question was not malicious at all nor did it deserve any more repercussions then were recieved. There was no closed fist like you believe, the skyline player was attempting to draw a foul and did not see the huron girl coming from the back side. The refs handled the play to the best of there ability. After the game, the skyline player went out of her way to apologize to the huron player for what transpired in the water. She didn't have to do that nor was she told too. But she is a high character player who felt horrible about the incident. She new the play looked bad and that it did not represent her or her team as water polo players. I applaud the way both athletes handled the situation. Personally I was embarrassed by the actions of the Huron coaches after the play happened. Their reaction has no place in The sport of Water Polo. They should be embarrassed by the way they were screaming and cussing at the Skyline players and coaches. Finally, the huron player missed the rest of the 1st quarter and returned at the beginning of the second, when the score was 3 to 1. So correct me if im wrong but even if you take out the two goals from when she was gone, wouldn't Skyline have won by 6? Both teams had great seasons and should be proud of their finishes. It is sad that you try and make an incident into something more then it is. Huron needs to take responsibility for their own loss and celebrate the success of their season rather then make exscuses. Skyline won fair and square