![Photo courtesy of Liam Davis](/sports/wwaterpolo/2024-25/photos/Tourney4.jpg)
Strong start propels Pirates past Chargers, 15-11
COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's water polo team used a 12-goal first half and made that hold up as the Pirates topped visiting Cypress, 15-11, on Wednesday at the OCC Aquatics Pavilion.
The Pirates (5-5, 2-0 in the Orange Empire Conference) outscored the Chargers (2-3, 0-2) 13-4 in the first half and managed to get the entire roster involved in the contest. Paola Barajas led Coast with three goals, while Tatum Rogers, Hayden Clark, and Elizabeth Liskey each tossed in two goals.
In goal, starter Emily Jones picked up five saves in the first half before turning things over to Mia Gonzalez, who had six saves in the second half.
After a 3-2 OCC lead ended the opening quarter, the Pirates pulled away for good, scoring five straight and eight of the next nine goals to lead, 11-3. It was 12-4 at the half and in spite of a strong Cypress comeback, the Pirates were just too far ahead and earned the conference win.
The Pirates will head up to Riverside City College for a weekend tournament, beginning on Friday before returning home to take on Whittier College on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.