McCarley Totals 21 Saves in Women’s Water Polo’s Two Wins at Cuesta Tournament

It is an understatement to say that freshman goalkeeper Hannah McCarley's (Riverside, CA) 21 saves in two games at the Cuesta College Tournament were a driving force in a pair of victories for the Riverside City College Women's water polo team on Friday. The Tigers utilized McCarley's strong goalkeeping and deep offensive arsenal en route to a 10-9 victory over Orange Coast and a 5-3 thriller against San Joaquin Delta.

Game One vs Orange Coast

The Tigers got off to a strong start by outscoring the Pirates, 2-1, in the opening eight minutes of action. Sophomore tandem Dafne Garcia (Mexico City, NM) and Josceline Godinez (Menifee, CA) each netted a goal to grab the early one score advantage.

Godinez continued her scoring trend in the second frame with a goal, backed by the first score of the game from freshman attacker Katy Peterson (Menifee, CA). Peterson took the offensive reigns in the third by scoring two more goals, but a four score outburst from Orange Coast put the Tigers in a 7-6 hole.

Despite the one score deficit, Riverside exploded for four goals in the final quarter. Sophomore attacker Megan Upton (Corona, CA) fired home two scores, while freshman center Kate Fox (Murrieta, CA) sent home a goal and sealed a 10-9 victory.

McCarley racked up eight saves in very key moments. Furthermore, she swiped two steals and dished out an assist.

Peterson led the offensive front and recorded four goals for the third time this season.

Game Two vs. San Joaquin Delta

After San Joaquin Delta handed the Tigers their first loss of the season less than 24 hours ago, Riverside hopped back into the pool in hopes for revenge.

San Joaquin Delta jumped out to a 1-0 lead after netting the lone score in the first frame, but the Tigers came back to blank them in the second stanza and tie up the game with a netter from Garcia.

Meanwhile, McCarley worked to preserve the contest with numerous saves leading into halftime. She stormed out of the gate and matched her first-half efforts by allowing just two more goals throughout the entire contest.

Riverside continued on to net two goals in the third and fourth quarter from different outlets each time. Sophomore driver Anay Ramirez (Riverside, CA) joined in on the action with a third quarter score, backed by a goal from Peterson to close the frame. Fox and freshman attacker Nikkol Webber (Riverside, CA) were responsible for the fourth quarter scoring en route to a 5-3 win.

McCarley totaled 13 saves marking the fifth time this season she finished with double-digit stops. Her 89 total saves move her to second overall in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC). She remains atop the conference in save percentage with a mar ok 69%.

The Tigers (11-1, 2-0 OEC) continue action in the Cuesta Tournament on Saturday, September 30^th and look to add to their win column.