FUHS boys varsity water polo team (0-1) won its first non-league game 18-4 against Pacifica (0-0) on Sept. 6, kicking off the season.

Last season they faced a difficult challenge: in order to compete in CIF, they had to beat Sunny Hills twice. They won their first game 13-11, but lost to the Lancers in the second round 8-7. Senior co-captain Niam Schade said the team is looking for redemption.

According to Schade, winning against Pacifica gave the team more confidence.

“This season,” Schade said. “We are going to win league and CIF.”

The team works hard to prepare for league.

“We want to beat Troy and Sunny Hills for sure,” Schade said.

Coach Mike Varela said he feels excited for the season to come.

“It really feels like our team,” Varela said. “We feel like one big family now.”

Coach Varela has been patiently building the boys water polo program for four years now, and is finally ready to win league and CIF.

“No matter what happens,” Varela said. “This has already been the most rewarding year.”

On Sept. 20 the boys water polo team faced Valencia High School (0-1) in a non-league game. The Indians beat the Tigers 14-9. This was Fullerton’s last home game of the season.

Junior Christopher Allen was the game’s top scorer with a total of 5 goals. In addition, Schade and junior Taylor Garcia each scored 3 goals contributing to the win over Valencia. Seniors Chris Frias and Brian Schrandt and Sophomore Devin Ricklef each had one goal.

Fullerton lost its first league game against Sunny Hills (1-1) on Sept. 28, with a final score of 15-4. It was a tough game for the Tribe, but they bounced back against Buena Park the following week on Oct. 5, defeating the Coyotes with a final score of 11-7.

The Indians face Troy (1-0) next Wednesday for its third league game of the season. Schade looks forward to the chance to play their rivals. “We really want to beat Troy,” Shade said. “With a burning passion.”