Posted: Sep 28, 2015

Huskies' water polo wins conference game 11-10

MONTEREY PARK, CA — The water polo team avenged an early season 16-7 non-conference loss to Rio Hondo College, 11-10, in a South Coast Conference win in the Swim Stadium earlier today.

Learn from your mistakes, keep the momentum and win when it matters most.

And the Huskies did just that.

With fifth place on the line in the eight-team SCC standings, East Los Angeles College was more aggressive in the rematch.

Rio Hondo came out stronger in the first period, however, ELAC played patiently to stay close, a game strategy that would prove wise.

ELAC began a rally in the second period and played stronger the final two quarters to take control. The Huskies had a one or two point throughout the fourth quarter.

The Huskies protected a 10-9 lead in the final two minutes with stellar, quick defense to the approval of the Husky home crowd.

“It was a much needed conference win,” said ELAC Coach Erik Matheson. “The team came together to play our best game of the season.”

A big difference in the rematch was the Husky aggressive play, which resulted in five steals compared to none in the 16-7 loss.

Rio Hondo was all over sophomore Yvonne Young (Mark Keppel High School) doubling and sometimes tripling her. Young had scored four goals in the first meeting,

ELAC, however, countered with setting up shots to both freshmen Reanna Calvaruzo (Whittier HS) and Michelle Delgado (Montebello HS) who took advantage and scored four and two goals, respectively.

Despite the swarm defensive players covering Young, she scored two goals.

Adding one goal each to the Husky pack attack were sophomores Brandy Macias and Alexandra Reyes as well as freshman Alejandra Mendoza.

In other SCC action, Cerritos College defeated El Camino College, 23-4, Long Beach City College beating Pasadena City College, 16-3.

ELAC, 2-8 overall and 1-2 in the SCC, lost previous SCC games to Long Beach (9-2, 3-0) 20-1, and to Mt. San Antonio College (9-1, 2-0) 14-0.

Sophomore Brandy Macias scored the lone Husky goal at Long Beach, a no-look backhand. Young had six steals against Long Beach and three steals against Mt. SAC.

“We learned from our game mistakes and made sure we were ready to play (Rio Hondo),” said Young.

ELAC plays in the San Diego Mesa Tournament this weekend.

The Huskies return to SCC play on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Pasadena (4-6, 0-2) in a 3 p.m. game

Story submitted by Tadzio Garcia