Ransom Everglades’ girls’ state water polo title hopes dashed in heartbreaking loss

There were tears, yes.

A team doesn’t lose by one goal in the final minute of a state water polo match without expressing some raw emotion.

However, after the Ransom Everglades Raiders lost that match, 6-5, to Winter Park at Belen Jesuit’s pool on Friday, there was some perspective, too.

“It always breaks your heart,” Ransom coach Eric Lefebvre said of having to console his players. “Our girls have done amazing work over the course of their careers.

“(Getting to state) is a bonus. But I told them, ‘Everything you’ve done does not hinge on whether you win or lose here.”

Ransom (26-5), ranked second in the state and considered the slight favorite in this match, led 4-2 at halftime.

However, Ransom center Sarah Velazco fouled out in the second half, and Winter Park (27-5) took advantage, double-teaming Raiders star Sabrina Shipley at every opportunity.

Winter Park scored twice in the third period to tie the score, 4-4. Then, with 5:19 left in the fourth, Winter Park made a penalty shot to take its first lead of the game.

With Ransom still trailing 5-4 with 62 seconds left, Lefebvre called time out to set up a play.

“The idea was to make Winter Park make the choice,” Lefebvre said. “They either guard our senior driving the middle or leave our set-up shooter on the outside.”

Winter Park guarded the middle, and Ransom’s Holly Alesandro, who plays with the Olympic Development Team, scored from the left side, tying the score 5-5 with 47 seconds left.

On the next possession, Winter Park’s shot clanked off the right post. But when the Raiders did not secure the rebound, Winter Park sophomore Hannah Lee scored from the left side with 15 seconds left.

“We all started to leave,” Lefebvre said of his players eager to get back on the attack. “When we saw that we didn’t get the ball, we guarded the middle, which is the most dangerous person. Winter Park made a great read and they went over with their pass.”

Winter Park coach Barry Creighton said he had been urging Lee to shoot the ball when she’s open.

“She was hesitant at first,” Creighton said. “I said, ‘The next time, you need to catch it and shoot it.’ She caught it and shot it.”

Ransom still had 15 seconds left to possibly score and force overtime, but Raiders goalie Eleonora Cavallini missed from distance to effectively end the game.

Lefebvre said the play he had called was not executed properly, which happens in such a high-pressure moment.

“Someone zigged when they were supposed to zag,” Lefebvre said. “But our goalie has scored four goals this season. She can score from there.”

Creighton said he was proud of his team’s defense in the final 15 seconds and also of Winter Park’s entire effort.

“We were very nervous to start the game,” he said. “We had a lot of ejections. We had two of our starters out for the second half.

“But our girls gathered themselves, and we were much more focused on what we had to do on defense.

“(On the last play), we covered what they do pretty well. The only thing they had left was the goalie shooting, and it worked out for us.”

Lefebvre said Ransom will be strong again next season, although they graduate eight seniors off this year’s roster.

“I’m always excited,” Lefebvre said. “I’m in the moment, but I’m always planning for the next generation. There will be big shoes to fill, but the future looks bright.”

This story was originally published April 22, 2022 at 5:01 PM.