The SBCC women’s water polo team won its conference opener and then went 2-1 at the RCC Tournament over the weekend in Riverside.

The Vaqueros beat Ctirus 12-6 in their first Western State Conference game. Eden Tal scored four goals, her fourth game with four of more goals in SBCC’s first six games.

Allison Kay had a hat trick and goalie Chloe Mckay made 10 saves and three steals.

In the tournament, SBCC lost an 8-7 overtime game to Orange Coast on Friday, won an 11-10 double-overtime game against Riverside and defeated Golden West, 8-1 

SBCC is 7-2 on the season

Friday’s second game pitted SBCC in a tight one with OCC that went down to the wire. Charlize Winter was one of three Vaqueros to put up two goals, both of which came in crunch time.

The first came with 20 seconds left in regulation to send it into extra time, while the second put the Vaqueros ahead in the first period of overtime. However, OCC would come back to steal the 8-7 win.

Megan Ditlof and Jenna Olsen both matched Winter with two goals each. Olsen also recorded a team-high of two assists to go along with four steals.

Eden Tal notched one score and led the team with five steals. Mckay tallied 10 saves and three steals at keeper.

“This was a hard fought battle in which the team never gave up,” said coach Chuckie Roth. “The outcome was unfortunate, but we learned so much. It’s hard to see it as a loss, and we are positive about the future.” 

On Saturday SBCC found itself in a second consecutive overtime thriller, this time prevailing in an 11-10 win.

Jenna Olsen led the way with a season-high five goals to go along with two steals. Eden Tal added another hat trick, finishing with three goals, a steal and four earned exclusions.

Mckay recorded eight saves, two assists and a steal.

“We were super resilient and scored two last-minute opportunities to tie it up and win it. This team has a lot of grit, and it’s fun to watch them grow and succeed,” said Roth.

The Vaqueros cruised past Golden West, 8-1.

Angelina Adams had a standout performance with three goals, an assist, a steal and three earned exclusions. Aaliyah Gavia backed her up with two goals and two drawn exclusions of her own.

“Angelina Adams is full of positivity and takes every advantage she has to improve. Aaliyah Gavia created a lot of opportunities for us. She is a true work horse and really impacted that game,” said Roth.