The Bainbridge girls water polo team defeated Curtis for the first time in over a decade recently 7-6 in double overtime.

Both teams are now tied for the first seed for the state tournament May 23-25. Since Curtis defeated Bainbridge by one goal the first outing, the tiebreaker comes down to goal differential against third-place Gig Harbor. The Vikings play Gig Harbor April 27. Once the game is settled, the Spartans will know the magic number when they face Gig Harbor April 29 at the Bainbridge Aquatic Center.

Both teams held strong in the first quarter as Spartan Allie Paulson-Houser scored to tie the game at 1-1 against Curtis. By halftime, both teams scored another goal; Montana Rist scored for BHS. Bainbridge went into the fourth quarter with a 3-2 lead after Emma Atchison’s goal. However, Curtis bounced back and tied the game at 5-5 at the end of regulation. Spartans Grace Rich and Paulson-Houser scored that period.

Atchison gave the Spartans a one-goal lead after the first overtime period, and Rist scored the winning goal in the second overtime.

Goalie Darby O’Hare led the defense with nine saves.

“This win ends the reign of the Vikings over the Spartans, finally turning the tables after a decade of Curtis domination,” Bainbridge coach Kristin Gellert said. “The game was physical and tested grit from everyone. It was the Bainbridge team defense and composed mental presence that finished the game off strong.”