The Loomis Chaffee boys varsity water polo team earned a thrilling 12-11 victory over Suffield Academy on Saturday, October 19, in front of an energized Family Weekend crowd.  

The victory marked the Pelicans’ first win against Suffield in three years, and it was especially significant after the team’s heartbreaking 7-8 loss to the Tigers in triple overtime less than a month ago.  

Junior captain Georges DeVos led the charge, opening the scoring and drawing key power plays throughout the match. Senior captain Trey Walsh capitalized on one of these opportunities, while sophomore Jack Haegele added to the early lead with a sharp strike, putting Loomis ahead 3-1 in the first quarter. By halftime, Loomis had stretched the lead to 5-2, but Suffield came out strong in the third quarter, tying the game at 6-6 after converting two penalty shots. 

The game remained tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging goals and Suffield pushing hard to equalize. Walsh and DeVos were instrumental in maintaining Loomis’ lead, and freshman goalie Ben Liu made crucial saves in the final quarter, helping to secure the win. Despite a late push from Suffield, including a goal in the last minute, the Pelicans held on for the 12-11 victory. 

With all six starters contributing goals and multiple assists across the team, the Pelicans showcased a well-rounded team effort.