Noah Jamani
Staff Writer
Solid defense, outstanding goaltending, and crisp passing in the pool lead to a terrific victory for the Mira Costa Mustangs girls water polo team.
Costa’s girls water polo team defeated the Peninsula Panthers 7-3 on Tuesday as a result of a strong fourth quarter. According to junior attacker Skylar Jefferson, Costa struggled in the opening frame.
“We played very poorly in the first quarter,” Jefferson said. “However, as the game went on, our defense became strong which gave our offense plenty of chances.”
Photos: Girls water polo competes against Peninsula
According to head coach Jon Reichardt, The Mustangs did not have a strong start to the game, giving up two goals right off the start of the game. Jefferson then responded with a goal off a turnover. In the final seconds of the quarter, senior attacker Chloe Le scored on a long shot.
“We had a shaky start,” Reichardt said. “However as the quarter went on, we found our rhythm on defense and offense.”
In the second quarter, the Mustangs scored another goal from Jefferson. However, the Panthers would respond with a goal shortly after killing Costa’s momentum. The Panthers dominated the rest of the second quarter, but couldn’t break the 3-3 tie going into the half.
“In the beginning of the quarter we had possession of the ball and won our battles,” Jefferson said. “But after their goal we lost momentum and are fortunate they didn’t score again.”
Mira Costa Mustangs Aquatics Website
At the start of the third quarter, senior attacker Leigh Lyter scored in close to the goal, breaking the tie. Costa continued to press and that eventually lead to another goal from Jefferson.
“Both teams shared chances in the third quarter,” Reichardt said. “However we capitalized on our chances, unlike Peninsula.”
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The final quarter was all Costa with Le scoring in the opening seconds off of a great feed from Jefferson. Costa possessed the ball for more than half the quarter, and as the quarter was winding down, Lyter tallied a goal increasing Costa’s lead to four.
“We had a strong finish to the game,” Jefferson said. “Our offense and defense were great that quarter, and we kept control of the ball.”
Photos: Senior Kate Dixon throws the ball to teammate
The Mustangs are now 10-8 overall. Costa will next play in Palos Verdes on Thursday in a Bay League game.
“We need to communicate and continue to make good passes to be successful,” Reichardt said. “If we do both of those things and play our way, we should win Thursday.”
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