South Kitsap’s boys water polo team’s attempt to play fast-paced against Puyallup proved not to be as effective as they had hoped, as the Wolves (2-4) dropped their home opener 15-4 Sept. 24 against the Vikings (2-0).

“Our game plan was to use speed,” SK coach Kashi Tomicich said. “I actually feel we kept up with them this game as opposed to years past. And we knew that they could be a little bit more aggressive.”

The Wolves’ defense struggled to contain Puyallup’s potent offense early in the game, letting up 10 goals by the end of the first period. Nonetheless, Chris Plunkett of SK scored two goals in the first, keeping the score at 11-2 by the end of the first.

The second period saw improved defense from SK, with the Wolves forcing turnovers and goalkeeper Colby Kusche preventing all shots on goal from reaching the back of the net until the halfway mark of the period. However, Puyallup eventually found their scoring ways from the first and tallied three more goals before the end of the second, making the score 13-2.

“I think we got a lot to work on still, but we’re doing better, we’re practicing fast,” Miles Hanson of SK said.

The SK defense continued to improve entering the third and final period of the match by forcing turnovers and playing more aggressive defense. But Puyallup responded by adding two additional scores to their sizable lead.

Hanson added a goal, giving SK its third of the game and making the score 15-3. Jochanchan Sitompul earned another goal for the Wolves with a penalty shot.

“I’ve only been coaching for two years, but this team is showing a lot of promise,” Tomicich said. “There’s a lot of potential.”