By Maddy Braybrooke
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa girls water polo team continued its undefeated streak in Bay League against Palos Verdes High School on Tuesday, defeating the Sea Kings, 9-8.
In the first period, Palos Verdes came out strong by taking the beginning sprint, which was followed by a Sea Kings’ score. Senior whole set Jordan Raney retaliated with her first of five goals, followed by two saves from senior goalie Katy Heatherton.
In the middle of the first, the Sea Kings scored on a penalty shot, making the score 3-2 in Costa’s favor. Junior perimeter Isabella Magno assisted sophomore perimeter Cami Ruiz, who sealed a shot into the far right corner for Costa’s fourth score. Heatherton saved another, with a full reach out of the water. Palos Verdes scored its third goal to end the first period, 4-3, Costa.
“Palos Verdes came out strong,” junior whole set Kelly Giery said. “We came out a little flat, but we pulled it together as the game went on.”
Palos Verdes tied the game with a goal to start off the second period. Costa retaliated after a save by Heatherton and a Magno score. Though Raney blocked a shot while playing defense, the Sea Kings scored to tie up the game, 5-5, to end the half.
“Palos Verdes was pretty amped up,” Heatherton said. “Our nerves definitely showed throughout the first half of the game, but that is bound to happen.”
Palos Verdes took the lead in the third period by scoring its sixth goal, but Costa came back and tied up the score with another goal by Ruiz. The Sea Kings scored again, making the score 7-6 in PV’s favor. The period ended with two more saves from Heatherton and a blocked shot by Ruiz.
“Even though we were playing a hard team, we persevered,” Ruiz said. “I’m really glad we didn’t give up because that’s what a good team does.”
The last period of the game started with a block from freshman perimeter Chloe Le. Then, Giery tied up the score when she scored a lob goal in the right corner from the middle of the pool.
Palos Verdes swam ahead when it scored on a penalty shot, but Costa came back and tied it up with a goal from Giery. Heatherton’s 13th save of the game, followed by a final goal from Raney off of an assist by sophomore perimeter Yen Nguyen, secured the Costa win. The period ended with a final score of 9-8.
“We stuck to the game plan, which is why it worked out in the end,” coach Jon Reichardt said.
The team now has an overall record of 14-5 and 4-0 in Bay League. The Mustangs play their next game on Wednesday at home against West Torrance High School at 3 p.m.
“I think the team can improve on coming out strong in games right from the start, not the second or third quarter,” Raney said.
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