By John M. Sherrard
(Walnut, CA) The Mt. SAC Women's Water Polo team jumped right into the South Coast Conference schedule for their first game of the season and came out with an 18-11 victory over East L.A. at the Marie T. Mills Aquatic Center Wednesday afternoon.
Leading the charge was sophomore 2-meter player Kayla De Herrera with a team-high six goals, three of which came in the first period. Sophomore utility player Jessica Ybarra added three goals and freshmen Erin DeAnda and Reannon Urias had two each.
Ybarra (4 steals) and freshman driver Miranda Silva added three assists apiece for the Mounties.
The Mounties wasted little time putting the first goal on the new scoreboard as De Herrera scored within the first minute of play.
The Mounties built up a 4-0 lead within the first five minutes before the Huskies could get in the scoring column.
"It is a good start over a much-improved ELAC team," Mt. SAC coach Chris Jackson said. "They had some girls that if you weren't keyed up on them they could score some goals. That was a little wake up for (us).
"We were able to get deep in the bench (Wednesday).
East L.A., however, got right back into the game as they outscored the Mounties, 3-1, in the last 2:25 of the first period to trail, 5-3.
Mt. SAC again scored in bunches to start the second period with another four goals to build up their lead to, 9-3.
They would lead 11-3 at the half as six different Mounties scored in the period.
Ybarra scored all three of her goals in the third period to help Mt. SAC to an insurmountable, 16-7, lead heading into the final period.
East L.A. outscored the Mounties, 4-2, in the final period for the 18-11 final.
Two Mt. SAC goalies, sophomores Grace Barboza (3 saves) and Shelby Garcia (5 saves, 1-0), split time between the pipes.
They will travel to American River College in Sacramento with four games over Friday and Saturday.
"We will play some very good, physical water polo up there," Jackson said. "We will also play an alumni club team that has some pretty decent DI players."
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.