First game, first win for water polo
Scott Strain
Issue date: 9/21/06 Last update: 9/21/06 at 5:51 PM PST
Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
It was the new vs. the new at the Sacramento City College water polo tournament on Sept. 9.
Laney College, with only one returning player, defeated host Sac City's almost brand new team 12-8 as returner Lukwana North and newcomers Ying Yuan and Kayla Banash each scored three goals in the victory over the Panthers.
It was Laney's first-ever victory in a season opener.
Alas, the good times failed to continue to roll for Laney in the second game as the Eagles lost to a more-experienced Santa Rosa team 16-1 in the second game.
But it couldn't take away from what Laney accomplished against Sac City.
"We only had three girls on the team who had ever played water polo before," Laney coach Kim Bretz said. "It was a perfect match up with Sac City as they had a lot of new players as well."
The Eagles never trailed in the match, taking a 3-0 lead on goals by North, Yuan and Melanie Tucker. Laney took its largest lead at 7-1 with 7 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter on Banash's second goal. The Panthers then scored four straight goals to pull within 7-5 with 1:08 left in the period, but North, Seonaid Winkle and then North again scored to give the Eagles a 10-5 lead in the fourth quarter.
"I see a lot of potential on this team," Bretz said. "It will take a lot more conditioning and skill work to get these newly converted swimmers to get the hang of water polo.
"But they are off to a great start."
Amanda Ault, a goalie from Granada High in Livermore, had 15 saves in the victory over Sac City. "She shone bright," Bretz said.
In the second game against Santa Rosa, the Eagles actually only trailed 3-1 midway through the first quarter as Tucker scored. But the Bear Cubs scored six straight goals and had a 9-1 lead after one period. Ault finished with 18 saves.
"We were outmatched in speed and experience," Bretz said. "We had trouble getting back on defense in time to defend their shots."
Ault takes the fifth: Off her two-game effort, goalie Ault is ranked fifth in the state with 33 saves.
Laney holds tournament: The Eagles will hold a one-day tournament on Saturday, Sept. 23, starting at 1 p.m. at the Laney pool. Laney, College of Marin, and Chabot are scheduled to participate.
Laney College, with only one returning player, defeated host Sac City's almost brand new team 12-8 as returner Lukwana North and newcomers Ying Yuan and Kayla Banash each scored three goals in the victory over the Panthers.
It was Laney's first-ever victory in a season opener.
Alas, the good times failed to continue to roll for Laney in the second game as the Eagles lost to a more-experienced Santa Rosa team 16-1 in the second game.
But it couldn't take away from what Laney accomplished against Sac City.
"We only had three girls on the team who had ever played water polo before," Laney coach Kim Bretz said. "It was a perfect match up with Sac City as they had a lot of new players as well."
The Eagles never trailed in the match, taking a 3-0 lead on goals by North, Yuan and Melanie Tucker. Laney took its largest lead at 7-1 with 7 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter on Banash's second goal. The Panthers then scored four straight goals to pull within 7-5 with 1:08 left in the period, but North, Seonaid Winkle and then North again scored to give the Eagles a 10-5 lead in the fourth quarter.
"I see a lot of potential on this team," Bretz said. "It will take a lot more conditioning and skill work to get these newly converted swimmers to get the hang of water polo.
"But they are off to a great start."
Amanda Ault, a goalie from Granada High in Livermore, had 15 saves in the victory over Sac City. "She shone bright," Bretz said.
In the second game against Santa Rosa, the Eagles actually only trailed 3-1 midway through the first quarter as Tucker scored. But the Bear Cubs scored six straight goals and had a 9-1 lead after one period. Ault finished with 18 saves.
"We were outmatched in speed and experience," Bretz said. "We had trouble getting back on defense in time to defend their shots."
Ault takes the fifth: Off her two-game effort, goalie Ault is ranked fifth in the state with 33 saves.
Laney holds tournament: The Eagles will hold a one-day tournament on Saturday, Sept. 23, starting at 1 p.m. at the Laney pool. Laney, College of Marin, and Chabot are scheduled to participate.
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