Four consecutive fourth-quarter goals by Curtis put Bainbridge’s quest for its first repeat water polo championship since the 1990s to bed—the Vikings reclaiming the state trophy 11-9 at Curtis High School Nov. 16.

The Spartans led 8-7 entering the game’s final seven-minute period, but just as Bainbridge had pulled away from Curtis one month earlier in the regular season, the Vikings would take over in a complete shift of momentum.

Senior Elias Dean broke the run with his first goal of the game, but with just 16 seconds remaining BHS fell short.

Spartan coach Kristin Gellert cannonballed into the same pool after winning the title last year, but now found herself processing the moment. “They, Curtis, really wanted it. We really wanted it. They had a couple good looks on the cage, and we had a few exclusions in that last quarter,” she said. “That was the difference, but we played with so much heart.”

The bleachers were packed for the match-up between two of the most storied programs in Washington water polo. Like usual, it did not disappoint. Neither Bainbridge nor Curtis ever led by more than two goals through three quarters, with tied scores at the end of the first quarter and first half. The last shot of the half, a hail mary-esk shot from freshman Calvin Cox, barely crossed the plain to knot the score at 6-6.

Two third-quarter scores from senior RJ Rossart, who finished the game with four goals, gave Bainbridge an 8-7 advantage, but the Spartans were unable to hold as ill-timed major penalties often left them short-handed in the water.

“They used all the tools in the bag, and there’s some times that the shots don’t hit. To Curtis’ credit, they played a great game, and their goalie had a great game,” Gellert said.

Cox finished the match with two goals. Junior Jonas Fritzsche and sophomore Beckett Lipton each scored one.