By Lily Mitchell
Staff Writer
On Feb. 3, Costa girls water polo beat Santa Monica, 12-9, and won the Bay League title.
“The whole team can agree that this Bay League championship title wouldn’t have been possible without teamwork and positive energy,” senior Mackenzie Keller said.
The game took place at Mira Costa at 4 p.m. and ended with a final score of 9-8. The girls played Santa Monica two weeks prior and won in the last quarter with a final score of 12-9. According to Keller, it was an extremely close game.
“We have played Santa Monica before and won,” senior Bailey Tibbetts said. “But they have definitely improved since the last time we played.”
Throughout the first and second quarters, the teams kept alternating goals. At the start of the fourth quarter, Costa fell behind. Sophomore Gwen Pidd scored three goals, resulting in the game going into overtime.
“The game was evenly matched for the most part,” Tibbetts said. “It was in the end when we had a second wind of energy and all came together to score some goals.”
Pidd scored the winning goal with a minute left in overtime. The Mustangs’ other five goals were scored by juniors Bella Blackman and Katie Kabealo, senior Bella Fasano, and sophomore Finleigh Pogson.
“We are a well-balanced team with all of our players having key roles,” Tibbetts said. “We couldn’t have won if it wasn’t for everyone’s efforts.
The girls were able to have trust in each other, ultimately leading them to victory, according to Tibbetts.
“There is always going to be pressure as a goalie, but I am able to rely on my teammates to have my back,” said Tibbetts.
After the Mustangs secured the Bay League title, they advanced to the first round of CIF. They played at Costa on Wednesday, where they lost to Oaks Christian, 11-4.
“I’m proud that our team put in full effort, even when we were down,” said junior Katie Mackechnie. “It was also really encouraging to have our teammates and audience cheering us on throughout it all.”
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