Rustlers Beat Riverside In Double Sudden Death Overtime
The No. 2 Golden West College’s women’s water polo knocked off No. 1 Riverside 7-6 in a match that was forced into a second period of sudden death overtime.
The No. 2 Golden West College's women's water polo knocked off No. 1 Riverside 7-6 in a match that was forced into a second period of sudden death overtime.
The Rustlers now sit at 15-1 (5-0 OEC) on the year while Riverside drops to 19-1 (4-1 OEC) with the loss.
The match opened up with Riverside jumping out early holding Golden West scoreless in the first period 2-0. In the second the Tigers found the back of the net once again with a goal from Samantha Pirot making the lead 3-0. The Rustlers finally were able to get on the board with a goal by Christina Navarro with 7:14 left in the second bringing the Rustlers within two goals. On the next possession, Golden West would strike again with a goal by Margaret Dix reducing the lead to just one. However, Riverside would get the last goal of the half with a cross cage shot by Alison Glaser to put Riverside up 4-2.
The Rustlers started their comeback with 3:46 left in the third quarter, when Sierra Payne was able to capitalize on a crosscage shot. Paige Huntley brought Golden West within one with :48 seconds left to go in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter the lone goal came from Margaret Dix with just :25 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 5-5 and send it to overtime.
Both teams had their chances to win in the first overtime period, however neither team could separate long enough to put the game away. Riverside struck first in the second overtime period with a short drive and a shot near side as Alison Glaser put away her second goal of the game for the Tigers and took a 6-5 lead with :59 seconds remaining in OT. But Margaret Dix netted her third goal of the evening to tie the score 6-6 and force sudden death overtime.
Playing in their second sudden death overtime period, Brooke Learmouth was able to get a ball side set for a quick step out shot to win the match and put the Rustlers up 7-6 and snapping Riversides 52 game winning streak.
Next: Golden West travels to Long Beach City College on Friday for a match against Palomar (8:05am) and Cerritos (4:45pm).