By John M. Sherrard (WALNUT) After suffering two defeats in Friday's games in the 20th Annual Mt. SAC Women's Water Polo Tournament, the Mounties reversed fortunes and swept two games to up their record to 7-4 overall.
Sophomore attacker Hannah "Moose" Krolik (Ontario HS) scored the winning Mt. SAC goal for a 5-4 win over Grossmont and freshman 2-meter player Kalya De Herrera (Bonita HS) had four goals in the 10-5 win over Saddleback at the Marie T. Mills Aquatic Center on Saturday.
With the score tied, 4-4, in the Grossmont game, Krolik gave the Mounties (6-4) the lead for good with 2:34 remaining in the game.
De Herrera scored the only goal for the Mounties in the first half and Grossmont took a 3-1 lead late in the third period.
However, De Herrera scored late in the third to trail, 3-2, and sophomore attacker Beth Keane (Corona HS) and freshman defender Alexis Aguirre (Rowland HS) scored back-to-back goals to give the Mounties a 4-3 lead midway through the fourth period.
After Fullerton tied the game, 4-4, it was time for Kroliks heroics just 1:30 later. Aguirre had five steals in the game, while freshman attacker Clare Rowland (St. Lucy's) had three.
In the second game against Saddleback, Mt. SAC scored four goals in the first period and never looked back.
De Herrera started the scoring to open the game with two goals and Krolik and Aguirre bookended Saddlebacks' only goal in the first for the 4-1 lead.
Scoring her first goal of the tournament was Mt. SAC freshman attacker Christina Nunez (West Covina HS), giving the Mounties a 7-4 lead in the third period.
De Herrera, with two goals, and Keane with a goal finished the scoring for the Mounties in the final period.
Mt. SAC (7-4) freshman goalie Shelby Garcia (San Dimas HS) picked up two wins on the day and had 12 saves in the Grossmont game and 15 against Saddleback.
The Mounties will play a South Coast Conference game on Wednesday at Pasadena City College. Game time is 3:00 p.m.