BAINBRIDGE AQUATIC CENTER — It was truly a nail biter of a match that came down to the final minutes as the Bainbridge High boys water polo team were defeated at home by long-time rivals from Newport High School at the Bainbridge Island Aquatic Center 11-9 late last week.

“We’ve been working on our power plays and passing,” said Spartan Head Coach Jacob Millican.

Newport pulled ahead early, leading 6-3 by near the end of the first half, leaving the Spartans to play catch up.

They did.

The slippery Spartans, already known to be adept at early game dominance, proved they are just as comfortable in the role of the underdog as they wasted no time making up the point difference early in the second half. The match’s lightning fast pacing action was punctuated with explosive scoring as each team’s goal was answered in turn by the other. The game was tied 7-7 at the beginning of the fourth period.

Unfortunately, that’s where the action got away from the boys and two rapid-succession goals by Newport in the game’s final moments proved too much for the Spartans to come back from.

Millican cited patience and accuracy as definite areas for team improvement.

“That’s the disadvantage of a young team,” he said. “They’re eager and excited, they’ll get out there and swim hard and play good defense. Then you have to say to them, ‘OK, here’s where we take a breath.’”