Houston Chronicle Sunday

Area sweeps at state for Texas’ first titles

- By David Hinojosa STAFF WRITER dhinojosa@express-news.net twitter.com/hinojosa_david

“It’s history. We’ll forever and always be the first UIL state champion in Texas water polo.” Brazoswood boys coach Robert Brown

SAN ANTONIO — The UIL’s inaugural state water polo tournament produced an all-Houston-area girls final and two state championsh­ips.

Foster punctuated a perfect season with a 12-6 victory against Brazoswood in the state championsh­ip match held Saturday at Josh Davis Natatorium. Brazoswood’s boys downed Boerne Champion 19-10 for the title.

Senior Lola Trujillo was selected as the girls championsh­ip game’s MVP after recording six goals and two assists in the final. Freshman Addison Olson added two goals and an assist. Foster also won a Texas Interschol­astic Swim Coaches Associatio­n state championsh­ip in 2019.

“This makes it even better that it’s UIL, and our school finally recognized us for our previous accomplish­ments,” Trujillo said. “It felt so good to have support from our school and our teachers.”

Brazoswood senior Anthony Sury was selected as the MVP for the boys title game after recording six goals and one assist.

The Falcons sealed the girls championsh­ip early, scoring the match’s first six goals before taking a 7-1 halftime lead and setting the course for victory.

The matchup produced a familiar result as the Falcons clipped Brazoswood for the fourth time this season on its way to finishing the season 30-0. Brazoswood ended at 21-4 with all four losses against the Falcons.

“The last time we played them was the beginning of the season and anybody can improve,” Trujillo said. “I told the girls right before to not doubt their abilities. Even though we played them and beat them, they can still come out with something new.”

Brazoswood took advantage of some Boerne Champion foul trouble to work an 11-4 run in the second half to pull away for the win.

“Some of their key guys got in foul trouble, and that took a toll,” Brazoswood coach Robert Brown said. “It happens to us, too. We were earning them. We got some bruises to show for it. … I haven’t even had a chance to let it soak in. It’s history. We’ll forever and always be the first UIL state champion in Texas water polo.”

Foster’s girls advanced to the final with a 10-7 victory against Southlake Carroll in the semifinals held Saturday morning. Kinley Niles had four goals, and Trujillo added three to lead the Falcons. They were backed with stellar play from junior goalkeeper Clara McKee, who had 10 saves.

Carroll ousted Foster from last year’s TISCA’s playoffs, and the Falcons looked forward to facing the Dragons again.

“We found the motivation when we found out we were playing them and we were like, ‘Let’s go all out, and let’s do it,’ ” Trujillo said. “After that, we had just more motivation to continue.”

The Brazoswood girls defeated San Antonio Brandeis 15-4 to advance. Mallory Kesler had seven goals, and Minnie Tran had four goals and two assists to lead the Buccaneers. Gigi Lower had 12 saves. The Buccaneers trailed 3-2 in the first period before holding the Broncos off the scoreboard for 22 minutes en route to the win.

Meanwhile, Brazoswood’s boys clipped Carroll 16-14 in the semifinals to advance. Sury had six goals to lead the Buccaneers. Jayden Arana had six assists.

Foster’s boys had their run ended in the semifinals with an 11-7 loss against Boerne Champion. Elijah Molina had five goals to lead the Falcons (18-10-2).

 ?? Photos by Ronald Cortes/Contributo­r ?? The Foster girls celebrate their 12-6 win over Brazoswood on Saturday, claiming the UIL’s first water polo state title. Lola Trujillo was named MVP of the game.
Photos by Ronald Cortes/Contributo­r The Foster girls celebrate their 12-6 win over Brazoswood on Saturday, claiming the UIL’s first water polo state title. Lola Trujillo was named MVP of the game.
 ?? ?? The Brazoswood boys took down Boerne Champion 19-10 for the championsh­ip at Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio. Anthony Sury earned MVP honors.
The Brazoswood boys took down Boerne Champion 19-10 for the championsh­ip at Josh Davis Natatorium in San Antonio. Anthony Sury earned MVP honors.

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