Published Oct. 22, 2015 | Written by Alyssa Younger
Riverside City College women’s water polo team hosted American City College and Long Beach City College on Oct. 16 in a mini-tournament earning victories in both of their matches.
The Tigers defeated ARC, 15-4, in the first game of tournament play.
In the first quarter against ARC, the Tigers had a 5-0 lead and posted a 13-2 lead after the third quarter.
Leading the Tigers was freshman attacker Mary Myers with five goals, three steals and one assist.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kayla Chang logged in 10 saves against the Beavers. She attributed the win to the team’s defense.
“My greatest accomplishment would have to be defense,” Myers said. “I scored goals but that would not matter if our defense wasn’t so strong.”
Starting a four game win streak, the Tigers defeated LBCC, 12-6, in the nightcap game.
RCC led the first quarter against LBCC 4-1 and after three quarters the Tigers held a 10-4 lead on the scoreboard.
Myers acknowledged that although there is space for refinement, the team improves collectively.
“Together as a team we improve in every game we play,” Myers said. “We are always moving forward which just shows there is always room for improvement, so while we won today we can improve on everything we did tonight.”
Myers had three goals, three steals and two assists in the nightcap game.
Meanwhile, Chang recorded eight saves against LBCC.
“I want to win, I want it bad,” Chang said.
Previously the team hosted their first home game against Orange Coast College dominating them, 10-1, Oct. 14.
In RCC’s earlier Oct. 3 game Golden West College snatched the Tigers’ seven game winning streak from them but the Tigers have come back strong since.
Chang spoke about the team’s prior losses.
“Although our team has lost two games I believe that it will eventually help us in the long run,” Chang said. “The loss has helped me see what I can do to perfect on my skills and how much of a role I play. I must give 110 percent because my efforts influence the field players.”
In the first quarter of the game, OCC trailed close behind the Tigers; however, RCC’s defense fought hard in the second quarter of the game and led the scoreboard.
After three quarters, the Tigers took the 10-1 win against OCC.
Leading the scoreboard was Myers who had totaled six steals, four goals, and one assist. Meanwhile, Chang had nine saves and one assist after three quarters. Chang took the days in between the matches as a time to perfect her skills.
“The past few weeks I have focused on nothing else but to block each shot and to make the perfect pass each time in every game situation,” Chang said. “I have to learn quickly from my mistakes so that we can come back in full force with confidence.”