On Wednesday, October 20, the boys water polo team went up against Chelsea’s famous school rival: Dexter. Although they put up a strong fight, the Bulldogs lost to the Dreadnaughts 14-1. 

Heading into the game, the boys knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

“I think we knew it’d be a hard game,” Owen Critchfield (‘23) said. “But again, it was senior night so our atmosphere was pretty positive and I didn’t walk out of there feeling too disappointed.”

The game may have been tough, but that didn’t stop the boys from staying positive. Keeping their heads high, the team was able to enjoy the senior night and play hard throughout the game. Chelsea’s only goal was scored by senior Joel Burke. 

“I had a couple shot blocks,” Critchfield said. “They would do a lot of drives. […] We switched around and stayed with a guy so they were pretty pressured the whole time. I think our defensive plays were good.”

Though the score may not have reflected it, Chelsea’s defense was putting in their full effort, doing their best to guard Dexter’s constant drives and shots.

Later in the week, the Bulldogs are heading into districts, beginning the end of their season. 

“I think it’s a lot of mental preparation,” Critchfield said. “And just knowing, even though it’s against a really difficult team, to put forth our best effort.”

In the spirit of the boys’ game against Ann Arbor Huron this Friday, the team is taking time to mentally prepare. Even though it’s against a big school and it will be a tough game, the team has to put forth their best effort and can’t let anything intimidate them. 

“We’re less worried about what the score says at the end of the game, but more on how we played as a team,” Critchfield said.