Women’s Water Polo Wraps Up Weekend with Two Wins

The Riverside City College women's water polo team wrapped up its first home tournament of the season on Saturday by facing off against Santa Barbara and LA Valley. The Tigers clawed to defeated SBCC, 14-13, while cruising past LA Valley, 20-9.

GAME ONE

It was the tightest game the Tigers endured so far this season as it came down to the wire early Saturday morning. Riverside relied on the final possession of the contest with the game knotted up at 13-all.

Riverside jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead and carted an 8-5 lead into halftime. Santa Barbara did not go down easy as they made a strong second half push, but the Tigers were able to fend off any potential come from behind victory leading to a 14-13 win with the deciding goal coming in the final moments of the contest.  

It was the slimmest margin of victory for the Tigers this season. Sophomore Amber Nielsen paced the team with a game-high five goals and three drawn ejections. She added two steals as well.

Freshman Jaeden Johnson had one of her more prolific games as she found the back of the net three teams and dished out three assists. Both marks act as career highs.

There were a number of well-rounded performances featuring a three steal and two assist game from freshman Kennedy Guidizi. Sophomore Lauren Nelson fired home two goals and three assists.

Sophomore Gabriella Fisher earned her fifth win of the season after nine saves.

GAME TWO

It was all Riverside from start to finish as the Tigers went up by six goals and never looked back.

A nine goal first quarter set the tone as they Tiger cruised to their third straight victory and third win of the tournament.

Freshman Jessie Nelson, who has scored 15 goals in her last four games, capped the tournament by netting four goals and assisting on three other scores. She chipped in four steals as well.

Freshman Hailey Cruz and Guidizi each matched J. Nelson's assists total to each hold the game-high mark. Sophomore trio Taylor Mason, Lauren Loffelmacher and L. Nelson fired home three goals to keep the offense pumping at a high rate.

Freshman Daniela Guzman earned the nod in the cage leading to her second win of the season. She hauled in seven saves and dished out a pair of assists.