Staples' Nick Yu gets ready to fire in the winning goal Saturday against Hopkins.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Staples' David Katter looks to put a shot on goal against Hopkins.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Staples' Daniel Nussbaum scored five goals and had two assists to help the Wreckers beat Hopkins. Here, he goes after the ball with a Hopkins player.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Goalie Rory Siegel made 18 saves for the Wreckers.

Photo Credit: Contributed

WESTPORT, Conn. – Staples' Nick Yu scored the game-winning goal on an assist from co-captain David Katter as the Wreckers defeated Hopkins, 13-12, in a water polo contest Saturday.

In perhaps the most complete game Staples has played in its four years in
the sport, all six starters had at least one goal, and eight players had assists.

Co-captain Daniel Nussbaum played one of his finest games for Staples, leading the offense with five goals and two assists. Yu had two goals and two assists, while Jacob Epstein and David Katter each had two goals and an assist, and Angus Armstrong and Dan Haroun each added one goal and two assists.

Staples came out strong, taking a 6-3 lead after the first quarter. The team moved the ball extremely well, resulting in 10 shots against four turnovers. However, the team got a bit sloppy in the ensuing two quarters as Hopkins grabbed a 10-9 lead after three quarters. During those two periods, Staples scored only three goals, but turned the ball over 13 times.

Goalie Rory Siegel, with yet another outstanding game (18 saves), helped keep Staples in the game and the score close. The fourth quarter and OT were both close and tense, as neither team developed huge momentum.

Coach Theo Sullivan called several important and strategic timeouts, both to set up offensive plays and get the proper lineup in the pool. Those led to several good play opportunities for Staples. Staples tied the game late at 11-11, to force the overtime period, in which it scored the winning goal.