Girls water polo: Archie Williams repeats as MCAL champions
Loretta Hovey knew her Archie Williams High team was good enough to repeat last season’s championship glory. But would it feel the same?
Hovey and the Peregrine Falcons hoisted the Marin County Athletic League championship banner for the second year in a row. And this time, Loretta Hovey had younger sister, Holly, by her side to share the moment.
“Winning the title for the second year in a row, it feels wonderful,” said Loretta Hovey, one of the senior leaders at the core of the Archie Williams team. “To be a senior and to have Holly, as a freshman, with me on the team for this ride has been incredible. I wanted her to experience this, to give her something she can remember.”
The MCAL championship matched the top two teams from the regular season, with the top-seeded Peregrine Falcons (17-7), who were undefeated in league play, and No. 2 Marin Academy (23-3), which only lost to Archie Williams.
Loretta Hovey, Avery Hinkelman and Caitlin Logan each scored three goals as the Falcons defeated Marin Academy, 13-4, Saturday for the MCAL crown. The Falcons’ Ingrid Wahlstrom and Delaney Fair each scored twice.
The Wildcats’ own sister duo of Hannah and Gabby Reichley provided all the scoring for Marin Academy, each netting two goals.
“Hannah and Gabby both had great games,” Marin Academy co-coach Jamie Collie said. “We knew Archie would focus on them and on Cece Dickinson, so it was important to see who would step up. Archie Williams just did a really good job of taking away our opportunities.”
Holly Hovey started the season on the junior varsity roster, but convinced Archie Williams head coach Todd Duplanty to promote her to the varsity squad so that she could play with her sister this season, their only chance before Loretta graduates.
Duplanty, who admits he’s “just a big softy,” wanted to see them play together as much as the sisters did. He hasn’t regretted the move either, as both Hovey sisters have added firepower to the Peregrine Falcons’ offense.
Loretta Hovey scored twice in the first period as the Peregrine Falcons went on to build a 4-0 lead midway through the second period. Hannah Reichley scored twice before halftime and Gabby scored her first of the day as Marin Academy kept the game close. Only two goals separated the teams at halftime, with Archie Williams leading 5-3.
“We came out right away and executed our game plan,” Duplanty said. “The credit goes to the girls. They got together before the game and talked about what they needed to do, what they wanted to accomplish.”
Goals from Logan, Hinkelman and Wahlstrom helped boost the Falcons’ lead to six goals before Gabby Reichley scored her second goal of the day.
“I’m proud of the girls for continuing to fight even when we were down,” Collie said. “This was a tough matchup, one that I’d like to see again. This won’t be Marin Academy’s last trip to the MCAL finals.”
Both teams will learn their futures for the North Coast Section playoffs when the seeding is announced Sunday. Archie Williams, as the regular-season and playoff league champion, are likely to get a favorable seed. Marin Academy put together a solid resume against NCS Division II teams this season, which should weigh in the Wildcats’ favor.