(Walnut, CA) In the final game of the Mt. SAC Women's Water Polo Classic, the Mounties defeated Cypress College, 17-10, with a furious fourth-period scoring spree that included seven straight goals. Marie T. Mills Aquatic Center Saturday afternoon.
The victory extended their winning streak to 10 games overall and completed a second consecutive tournament in which the team went 4-0.
"This was a good tournament as we played all SoCal teams," Mt. SAC Women's Water Polo coach Chris Jackson said. "It was huge to be playing those teams for seedings (for the playoffs)."
In addition to the late surge in the Cypress game, the Mounties needed a late surge to defeat Orange Coast College as they trailed by three goals in the third period.
"I'd like to see a little more consistency, not allowing teams to get out to leads in those situations, because I'd like to see us battle against a Santa Barbara or Long Beach. If we can play like that all the time, we're good."
Averaging 16 goals per game, the Mounties (10-1) defeated Saddleback, Orange Coast, Palomar and Cypress, to bring their tournament goal scoring total to 65 and their season total to 164.
The three top scorers for Mt. SAC in the four games were: Driver Reannon Urias (20), utility Erin DeAnda (18) and driver Miranda Silva (12).
Utility Colleen Gamboa and driver Kaitlin Howard added nine and four goals, respectively, while drivers Rebekah Garcia and Brianna Baker had one each to complete the scoring for the Mounties.
Mt. SAC 19, Saddleback 8
The Mounties jumped out to an 11-3 halftime lead and never looked back in the convincing win.
Urias and DeAnda led all scorers in the game with seven and five, respectively. On defense, Howard and Gamboa had three and two steals, respectively.
Mt. SAC 17, Orange Coast 13
DeAnda (5 asst., 5 stls.) and Silva led the way with five and four goals respectively. The big defensive effort was from Urias (4G) with a tournament-high nine steals in the game.
"I did like Reannon's defense, especially in this game," Jackson said. "A lot of steals."
It was a tight game through the first three periods and neither team took a big lead. However, with the Mounties trailing 10-7, with 5:31 left in the third, the comeback began. Mt. SAC then outscored OCC (10-3) the rest of the way to win going away.
Mt. SAC 12, Palomar 5
For the second time in the last three games, Mt. SAC took a commanding halftime lead and held an 8-1 margin, cruising to a victory.
Silva and DeAnda led the Mounties in the first half with three and two goals, respectively.
The leading goal scorer in the game was Urias with four.
Mt. SAC 17, Cypress 10
Urias and DeAnda led Mt. SAC with five goals each. Urias again lead the charge with six steals. Silva (5 asst., 3 stls.) and Gamboa (3 asst., 2 stls.) added three goals each.
Goalie Krisiti Mertins added four assists on her long-range passes.
The Mounties led 7-5 at the half, but Cypress tied up the match at 10 before heading into the fourth period.
Silva and DeAnda led the charge in the fourth period with two goals each followed by single goals from Gamboa, Garcia and Urias.
"They (Cypress) battled with us for three quarters and I'm proud of the girls to battle out of those tight games. If I would have known the girls were going to score seven in the fourth, I could have relaxed," said Jackson with a smile.
"The whole group is having fun, jelling together at the right time and it shows," Jackson added.
The Mounties continue South Coast Conference action this Wednesday, September 26th, at Pasadena City College. Game time is 3:00 pm.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.