By Emma Rosenbaum
Sports Editor
The Costa girls water polo team traveled to Palos Verdes High School on Jan. 12 for its second Bay League game. After winning its first league game, stakes were high for the Mustangs. Despite a strong effort, Costa suffered a 14-8 loss, making its current record 9-3 and its Bay League record 1-1.
The girls had a rough start to their game. Costa started with a deficit in the first period that did not slow for the rest of the game. Despite two goals scored by senior Marisa Purcell, Costa ended the first quarter behind with a score of 5-2.
Palos Verdes did not let up until the final period, when Costa made three goals within the last five minutes.
“Our last period was a great improvement from our first. We played well for the last three periods of the game,” coach John Reichardt said.
One of the three goals was scored again by Purcell, who ended the game with a total of five goals.
“I definitely had to work hard for my goals. However, I was able to set up some good shots because of good passes that my teammates gave me,” Purcell said.
No goals were scored on Costa in the last quarter due to solid goalkeeping by senior Emma Fiore. During the quarter, the Sea Kings played a defensive game, having to stop more and more of the shots coming from the Mustangs.
“We had a great defense. It was a great game despite our loss, and I feel prepared to play them again in a couple weeks,” Fiore said.
In addition to contributions by Fiore and Purcell, sophomore Sarah Christ aided the team in scoring two of Costa’s eight goals in the game. Both Purcell and Christ scored goals with only one minute left to play. Junior Sam Horn also had an important assist on Christ’s second goal.
“We weren’t mentally prepared for this game, but we picked up the pace at the end and came together
as a team. I’m glad I could help the team,” Christ said.
Costa’s next game will be on Jan. 19 against Peninsula at home. Reichardt looks forward to the team’s upcoming games.
“We are playing catch-up now with our pool issues over the week but I still have high expectations,” Reichardt said.
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