PHS loses battle of Vikings in state semi-final game

In a battle of Vikings, Puyallup ran into a problem--well about 12 problems actually--that it couldn't answer. Curtis' depth and overall swim speed did Puyallup in, 20-7, Friday in a semi-final game in the Puget Sound State Water Polo Tournament.
While the final score would indicate that Curtis dominated the game from the start, Puyallup was actually in control early. It looked like the momentum from the first-round Stadium win would be enough to upset one of the State's top water polo programs. Puyallup forced the Curtis goalie into a four-meter penalty, but the Vikings couldn't convert. Then Puyallup held Curtis scoreless on a power play following a Katie Kindle kick out foul. Paige Boyer gave Puyallup its only lead of the game with a drive down the middle for a score with 4:09 left in the first quarter. Curtis then showed why it is a perenial polo power as it ran off four straight goals in less than two minutes to jump out front, 4-1. Puyallup countered with a Kim Akiona score that came off a sweet assist from Kindle with 39 second left in the quarter. It didn't deter Curtis, however, as it scored again with just 10 seconds left.The second and third quarters saw Puyallup get chewed up in a Curtis feeding frenzy. Curtis went on a 12-2 tear, and Puyallup was on its way to its first loss of the season. Puyallup didn't show any quit though as it outscored Curtis 3-2 in the final quarter. Hillary McDonald scored on textbook pop shot off an assist from Haley Carroll. McDonald's score was sandwiched between two Carroll scores, last one coming off great lead pass from Kindle with just 10 seconds left to play. The loss now moves Puyallup into a Saturday afternoon game with Enumclaw. That winner will play for 3rd/4th place Saturday night against either Stadium or Gig Harbor.