Pena, Willis lead Pirates to 13-5 win over Tigers
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Riverside (6-4, 0-1) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
|
Orange Coast (9-5, 2-0) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 13 |
COSTA MESA -- The goal-scoring of Emma Willis and the goal-prevention of Savannah Pena were enough to lead the Orange Coast College women's water polo team to a solid 13-5 Orange Empire Conference win over visiting Riverside City College on Wednesday at the OCC Aquatics Pavilion.
In a matchup between two of the top teams in the state, the No. 6-ranked Pirates (9-5, 2-0 in the OEC) topped the No. 5 Tigers (6-4, 0-1) on both sides of the ball. Willis led the way offensively with five goals to go along with two assists and two steals. Finley Munchoff and Ariah Martinez each had two goals and two assists, while Brooke Kaltenbach tossed in a pair of goals, along with one assist and three steals.
While the offense was doing its job the Pirate defense, led by Pena in goal, held the Tigers to their lowest scoring output of the season. Riverside took plenty of shots (31), with a good amount of those on frame, but Pena was up to the task, earning a season-high 17 saves to anchor the OCC defense.
Coast trailed early, 1-0, before scoring five consecutive goals over the next 10 minutes of play to grab a 5-1 lead midway through the second quarter. Riverside kept it a four-goal deficit through the early portion of the third quarter before Coast pulled away with the final four goals of the third to lead 12-4 with one quarter left to play.
From there, the Pirates played their all-around game and did not allow the Tigers any sniff of a comeback, holding Riverside to just one goal over the final 13 minutes of play.
After a home matchup against The Patriot Club tonight at 6 p.m., the Pirates will return to OEC play on Wednesday at home, against Saddleback, beginning at 4:15 p.m.
