By Travis West / staff writer

By Travis West / staff writer

The Riverside City College women’s water polo team was handed its first loss, 12-9, at the hands of their rival, the Golden West College Rustlers on Sept. 29.

The Tigers have handled their opponents through their first 14 games of the season out scoring them 185-37 going into the match up with the Rustlers.

Although the Tigers knew it would be a tough test for them, Ashley Fedler, who has experience against the Rustlers, was confident the incoming freshmen would make their mark on the rivalry.

“I think that the freshman we gained this year make up for the players we lost. I feel our girls mesh really well this season so I am excited to see how we play against them,” Fedler said.

The Tigers faced the Rustlers in finals at the Cuesta College tournament from Sept. 27-29.

It was a tough match as both teams traded goals back and forth for most of the game with neither team pulling away.

The game was tied up until the score reached 9-9 and headed into overtime. In overtime the Tigers were held scoreless as the same Rustler player scored all three overtime goals.

RCC Coach David Almquist said a couple players on the Rustlers squad will be receiving more attention next match after two players scored 11 of their team’s goals.

The Tigers came up short in a well fought game on both sides.

Goalkeeper Chelsea Dement did what she could in net making 19 saves in the loss, Megan Geurts contributed with six goals and Tara Scheibeler had three goal.

The loss comes at a point in the season where players like freshmen goalkeeper Summer Reyes can be content with learning from the close contest.

“The game was a great learning experience, because now we know what its going to take to win a state championship this year.”

Almquist is optimistic that the mistakes made are correctable.

“We don’t scream and yell, but we will crank up the intensity,” Almquist said.

The Tigers still hold one of the best records, currently with a 14-1 start.

There have been many different reasons for the start the team has gotten off to, one being the equal contribution from incoming freshmen and the sophomores on the team.

Freshmen and sophomores are equally split on the team with 10 aside with goals coming from all over.

Up until their game with the Rustlers, sophomores have a combined total of 98 goals while the freshmen are not far behind with 96.

The team is under pressure with the expectations from being two-time state champions, but younger players on the squad like Geurts are up for the challenge of a three-peat.

“The pressure of being back to back champs doesn’t affect us. If anything it gives us hope because we know it’s possible to win state.” Geurts said.

Geurts is leading the team in goals and is prepared to earn a state title. “I want to help earn the ring this year and I’m going to work as hard as I can to be a part of it.”