Late-period run lifts Pirates to 12-8 win over Gauchos
COSTA MESA -- A fourth-period run by the Orange Coast College women's water polo team proved to be the difference as the Pirates held on for a 12-8 Orange Empire Conference win over the visiting Saddleback College Gauchos.
Katelyn Hansen paced the Pirate offense with six goals, while Nathania Cuevas, Lauren Babb and Andrea Sandoval chipped in two goals each.
Goalies Amy Jensen and Daniella Jimenez combined for seven saves for the Pirates (10-7, 3-2 in OEC).
The turning point in the contest came midway through the fourth period as the Gauchos (8-7, 1-4) had a pair of point opportunities in front of the goal trailing 8-6.
But both shots clanged off of the crossbar and seconds later, Babb buried her second goal of the contest into the back of the net to give Coast a 9-6 lead.
From there, goals by Hansen, Cuevas and Sandoval pushed the lead up to 12-6 with 1:34 left before a pair of late Gaucho goals closed out the scoring.
The Pirates will return to action on Friday at the Long Beach City College Tournament, which will take place throughout the weekend.
