By Tommy Fellner
// The Acalanes Mens Waterpolo team (5-1) defeated De La Salle High School by a score of 15-8 this Tuesday night in the Dons’ inaugural home game of the 2015 season.
The Dons came ready to play and ready to defend their home pool. In the first quarter it was senior captain Brendan Supple of Acalanes that struck first, scoring on a breakaway. Acalanes then tacked on three more goals to lead the Spartans 4-0 only 5 minutes into the game.
De La Salle then broke their scoring drought with a goal with just 9 seconds to play in the first quarter. But the Dons countered with senior captain Tommy Fellner scoring a lob shot with 1 second left to push the score to 5-1.
The Spartans came out with a renewed intensity in the second quarter, drawing multiple ejections and converting on power plays. De La Salle scored two straight before Fellner scored from the outside.
But the Spartans were not deterred and scored one of their own. Senior captain Jack Winther then rammed home a penalty shot and the Dons scored once more before the half concluded, leading 8-4.
In the second half the Dons began to assert control and dictate the play of the game. Acalanes was without key starters Brendan Supple and Casey Conrad due to foul trouble. The Dons continued to hold a lengthy lead and converted on breakaway plays for most of their offense.
Senior Evan Wentzel out-paced his defender and drew a penalty shot which Winther converted moving the score to 10-6. Winther then scored with 5 seconds left in the third quarter off of a skip shot to put the Dons up by 5.
In the fourth the Dons added to their lead with counter goals from Fellner and sophomore Bennett Winther. Brendan Supple had an amazing goal out of the set position where he turned his defender and then turned the goalie and swam the ball into the goal.
Acalanes held onto their lead and won the game 15-8.
Tommy Fellner led the scoring column for the Dons with 6 goals, Jack Winther and Supple added 4 each.
Acalanes competes in the Ron Richison memorial tournament this Friday and Saturday and games will be held at the Steve Heaston Aquatic Center.