With the 2011 summer season just under way, the Haney Neptunes U-16 mixed water polo team faced a slew of Greater Vancouver teams at a tournament in Burnaby on Sunday, beating all comers to capture first place.
The Neptunes went 4-0 at the tournament, out-scoring their opposition by a combined score of 39-9. The Neptunes opened with a 16-2 victory in their first match against Vancouver. Giordano Marconato led the charge with nine goals, while Aidan Elphick-Miner scored a hat-trick and Lucas Wallace scored two.
In the second game, the Neptunes beat Burnaby 2 by a score of 11-3. Marconato and Megan Neale both had hat-tricks, while Emily Kelvin-Davies and Shaylene Ghag each registered a pair.
In a more tightly-played third contest against Burnaby 1, the Neptunes found themselves was down 2-0 at the halfway point, but climbed back into the game for a 4-2 victory. Ghag’s two quick goals in the second half changed the momentum of the match in the Neptunes’ favour. In the fourth and final game, the Neptunes beat Coquitlam 8-2, with Marconato, Ghag, and Sam Remfrey each netting a pair of goals.
The entire 10-player squad’s defensive play made things difficult for the opposition, as did goaltender Josh Lampen. Marconato won MVP honours for his 15 goals and tough defensive play.