Gauchos get past Pirates, look to tournament

Saddleback defeated Orange Coast College, 9-5 and now turn their attentions to the upcoming SoCal Tournament. (Betsy Johnson/Lariat)

The Saddleback College women’s water polo team took victory, with a score of 9-5, beating Orange Coast College on Wednesday.

For the Gauchos, this game determines who they will be playing in the SoCal tournament.

The SoCal tournament is between all the top schools Southern California community colleges.

Gauchos freshman goalie Emily Christiansen, 18, was very pleased with the turnout of the game.

“We played very well, especially on defense, a little trouble on offense,” Christiansen said.

When preparing for a meet, Emily does a little bit of a different exercise than the rest of her team. While the rest of the team is practicing by mostly swimming and tossing the ball around, Christiansen mostly does a leg workout, also known as egg beaters, where she is moving her legs constantly.

“This was the most important game we have played so far, we are happy we played and we played well,” Christiansan said.

Christiansen ended up with five saves, having three in the first quarter and two in the fourth.

“I personally think I played pretty well, but it wasn’t just me, it was a team effort in order to win this game,” Team captain Mikayla Kosmala said.

Kosmala had one goal, two assists and two steals in the game.

For this match specifically, the team prepared by watching motivational videos and mentally preparing with talking continuously about the game and how they are going to play, shoot, and pump everybody up.

“We wanted to win this game so badly so we could go to SoCal we decided to put zinc on today, meaning we put on our war faces and paint giving it our all,” said Kosmala.

Throughout the game, the Gauchos proved their positive attitudes and preparation by keeping a lead in each quarter, showing that they can move on the next tournament.

The next game will be held Friday, Oct. 23, at Long Beach City College. Unsure of who they will be playing yet, Saddleback are off to play for invitationals, then off to the championship games.

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