Crean Lutheran girls water polo team captures first tournament title

Crean Lutheran players and coaches after winning a tournament title. (Photo courtesy Michael Harkins, Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs).

Crean Lutheran High School’s girls water polo team won its first tournament in program history in the inaugural season for the program.

The Saints defeated El Modena 9-8 to capture the championship at the Westminster Tournament Saturday.

“Coming into this season, we did not know how well the team would do,” said asssistant coach Ryan Tunstall. “Coach Ed (Carrera) and I are really impressed with how much the team has improved since the beginning of the season. Out of our 10 players on the team, eight of them have never played before, and they have done a great job of learning the game and competing. 

“After trying to get a team together for the past two years, it is so great to see the success this program is having.” 

Freshman Kylie Caston led the Saints with 25 goals and had 12 assists. Catherine Holmes (sophomore and team captain) had 11 goals and 16 assists and led the team on defense with 14 steals and three blocked shots. 

Sophomore Claire Upperman had 12 saves in goal and stopped the final shot in the championship game to seal the victory.

Junior Ruth Harkins had eight goals, eight assists and eight steals, according to Tunstall.