SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The SBCC women's water polo team finished with a 4-1 record at the season-opening Cuesta Invitational, earning two more double-digit wins over Fresno on Friday, 16-2, and Diablo Valley on Saturday, 15-4. Santa Barbara also defeated Merced 17-10.
The Vaqueros would fall to West Valley 12-5 in their final game of the weekend.
SBCC vs. FRESNO
Picking up right where they left off in their season-opener, the Vaqueros flew past Fresno in a 16-2 blowout.
Driver Eden Tal led the way with four more goals, giving her a staggering total of 11 on opening day. Megan Ditlof added a hat trick along with two earned exclusions.
Joining the list of multiple goal scorers with two apiece were Emily Lopez and Charlize Winter, the latter of whom tied Aaliyah Gavia for team-high honors.
Also making the scoresheet were Gavia, Jenna Olson, Angelina Adams, and Allison Kay with one goal each.
Goalkeeper Chloe Mckay ended up with eight saves and a steal defending the cage.
SBCC vs. DIABLO VALLEY
Facing Diablo Valley in its first game on Saturday, SBCC made it two straight first quarters with six goals. Allison Kay recorded her first hat trick of the year before six minutes had even passed, as the Vaqueros took a 6-1 lead into the second quarter.
The lead would extend to 11-3 at the half, as Angelina Adams one-upped her teammate with four goals in the second frame alone.
Sadie Mead joined Kay and Ensley Letterman with two goals for the game. Letterman also tied Kara Hughes atop the SBCC assist column with three helpers. Lauren Tuxill, Megan Ditlof, Aaliyah Gavia and Eden Tal all scored once as well.
Chloe Mckay tallied four saves in this one to go along with two assists and two steals.
SBCC vs. WEST VALLEY
The Vaqueros were handed their first loss of the season in the final game of the weekend, 12-5 to West Valley.
Charlize Winter had her most prolific offensive performance yet with four goals. She chipped in defensively as well with three steals.
Angelina Adams added the Vaqueros' other goal in the final period. She and Allison Kay finished with one assist apiece.
However, it wasn't enough as West Valley jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back, further pulling away with five unanswered goals in the second half.
SBCC vs. MERCED
Santa Barbara made it four straight wins to open the season in its 17-10 win over Merced, led by another four-goal performance from Eden Tal.
Jenna Olson added a hat trick, while Allison Kay, Emily Lopez, Ensley Letterman and Emily Clapham added two goals each.
Megan Ditlof and Charlize Winter rounded out the Vaquero scoresheet with a goal apiece. Chloe Mckay finished with six saves and an assist in the cage.
NEXT UP
On the docket for next weekend will be several more games at the RCC Tournament hosted by Citrus College. The Vaqueros are scheduled to open things against the host Citrus on Friday, Sept. 17.
