Melissa Persichetti (1) goes after this shot against Orange Glen. (photos by Ray Flores)The Valley Center varsity girls water polo team is on a hot streak, having won its last seven games and 11 of the past 13.
The Lady Jaguars kept that momentum going with four wins this week, two in league play and a pair to start play in the San Diego Open Tournament.
The Lady Jags finished off the first round league play last Tuesday with an 11–7 win over Del Norte at home.
The Lady Jags had a slow start shooting in the shallow end, giving Del Norte a 3–1 lead after the first. The Lady Jags were able to gain a little momentum in the second shooting deep putting away five goals allowing one for a 6–4 lead at half. Del Norte was able to come back in the third and score three goals allowing two for the Lady Jags giving Valley Center an 8–7 advantage going into the fourth. The Lady Jags were able to put away three goals allowing none to take the big win.
“This was a tough game and the girls had a slow start,” head coach Kyle Kline said. “This was not our best performance, but we’re happy to get the win.”
Maddy Daugherty had four goals, two assists, eight steals, and earned one exclusion. Carina Favela had three goals, one assist, one steal, and earned two exclusions. Dani Lettice had two goals, one assist, two steals, and earned one exclusion. Nikki Paredes had two goals, one steal, and earned one exclusion. Makayla Markey had one goal, three assists, one steal, and earned one exclusion. Melissa Persichetti had 12 goal saves and two steals.
Valley Center then took on Orange Glen at Adams Park on Thursday, and after a good first half, held on for a 17–2 win.
The Lady Jags had a slow start taking a 2–0 lead in the first. Valley Center was able to pick up the pace in the second putting away seven goals allowing one for a 9–1 lead at half. The Lady Jags put away five more in the third allowing one for a 14–2 lead going into the fourth. Valley Center scored three more, while allowing none, to seal the win.
“The girls missed some early opportunities, but settled in and put together a solid second and third quarter,” Kline said.
Favela had five goals, one assist, and three steals. Paredes had four goals, one assist, and two steals. Markey had three goals, one assist, six steals, and earned two exclusions. Daugherty had two goals, three assists, four steals, earned one exclusion, and one penalty shot. Maggie McGlynn had two goals, and one steal. Sarah Mitchell had one goal, and one steal. Persichetti had ten goal saves, three steals, and one assist.
On Monday, the Lady Jaguars started play in the San Diego Open Tournament with two games.
The first game was against Santa Fe Christian, and Valley Center came back from a late deficit to take a narrow 6–5 win.
Both teams traded two goals each in the first quarter. Both teams scored one each in the second for a 3–3 tie at half.
Santa Fe Christian was able to put away two goals in the third keeping the Lady Jags scoreless to lead 5–3 heading into the fourth. The Lady Jags were able to regroup and put away three unanswered goals in the fourth to get the win.
“This was a tough game, as we had to make some defensive adjustments right away,” Kline said. “We couldn’t get any rhythm on offense, but the girls came up with some goals when it counted. We were happy to come away with the win.”
Favela had two goals, two assists, three steals. Daugherty had one goal. Lettice had one goal, one assist, and two steals. Nicole Marler had one goal, two steals. Markey had one goal, and earned one penalty shot. Persichetti had eight goal saves.
The second game was against University City, and after a big first quarter, Valley Center cruised to a 15–5 win.
The Lady Jaguars knew it would be a tough game, as UC had just earned a one-goal victory in overtime against Santa Fe Christian. The team got focused and came out swinging in the first quarter, taking a solid 8–1 lead.
The Lady Jags flattened out offensively in the second, earning only one goal while allowing one to lead 9–2 at half.
UC was able to put away three goals in the third, allowing two for the Lady Jags, giving Valley Center an 11–5 lead going into the fourth. The Lady Jags finished off the fourth quarter well, putting away four unanswered goals to win by ten.
“This was a huge game and a huge win for the girls,” said Kline. “Both teams are division three teams, so this will certainly help in our ranking for playoffs. The girls really pulled it together after not playing well in the first game and played their best water polo yet in the first quarter.”
The win puts Valley Center in the top 16 for the tournament out of 38 teams.
Favela had her best game yet with five goals, one assist and one steal. Lettice had her best game with four goals, one assist, one steal. Markey had one of her best with three goals, three assists, two steals, and earned one penalty shot. Daugherty playing sick had two goals, two assists, and one steal. Paredes with one of her best had one goal, and six assists. Persichetti played well with eight goal saves.
The next game for Valley Center is on Friday, when the Lady Jaguars continue play in the San Diego Open with a game against Granite Hills.
No comments:
Post a Comment