The clock had just started as Poway’s boys’ water polo players raced down the Westview pool. There, senior team captain, Jack Fahlsing, scored the first goal of the game which led to their 18-10 victory against Westview on Oct. 18. 

Going into the game, with a 61 percent win rate, Poway was confident with their abilities to defeat Westview who only held a 38 percent. To the boys’ surprise, at the end of first quarter, the score was tied 4-4.

  “ At that point, I wasn’t sure if we were going to win. But that didn’t stop us from staying confident,” Fahlsing said.

Moving into the second quarter, the boys buckled down and gained a 4 point lead against Westview, making the score 10-6. Gaining this lead was a lot tougher for Poway than expected. 

 Westview is home to extremely aggressive players who were willing to do anything in order to win. In the process, one of the Westview’s players, Jason Leibowitz, attacked Poway’s goalie, Alex Hallak.

“ I wasn’t expecting that level of aggression from Westview. He made me hyperextend my metacarpal,” Hallak said. “ My hand swelled up like a balloon.”

Despite the setbacks, Poway was able to defeat Westview, who was their greatest rival last season.

“ It was a great win. Good to see the team with high energy and beat the only team we lost to last year in league,” Varsity Coach Austin Farkas said. “I was very proud of my team.”

As the league games came to a close, Poway earned their title as 1st in Palomar League just ahead of Mount Carmel. Going into CIFs in the upcoming weeks, they hope to become D1 champs for the second year in a row.