Paladin

Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Christian Millan [Click to enlarge]

A strong second period helped the Viking women's water polo team defeat Chaffey, 11-7, Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the LAC Pool for its second conference win.

A 1-1 stalemate was broken at the end of the first period on a score by LBCC utility Raylynn Castillo. The second period proved to be even more fruitful for the Vikes as they went on to score five more times.

The scoring began when Viking defender Ally Edge slipped the ball past Chaffey goalkeeper Maddison McDonald, putting the Vikes ahead, 3-1. Chaffey responded when Melissa McCowen zipped the ball past Viking goalie Chelsea Datt for one of her team-leading five goals.

From that point on, the Vikings went on a 3-0 run on scores by center Kimmy Morrison and two by driver Chelsea Velasquez, giving LBCC a 6-3 lead. After a goal by McCowen, Viking driver Jessica Lincoln skidded the ball past McDonald with four seconds left in the half for a 7-3 lead.

Entering the fourth quarter ahead 8-3, the Vikings never looked back, as Lincoln scored her third goal to match Castillo for the team lead, Datt finished with 11 saves.

"My job as a goalie is made easier when my players in front of me see to it that the other team doesn't get great looks at the net," Datt said. "I didn't think I had one of my stronger games, but it helps that I can depend on my team."

Overall defense played a key role in the Viking win similarly as it has in several others. Effort is just one of the determining factors.

"A strategy called drawback is something that we practice," Lincoln said. "It's worked to our advantage and we're getting better at executing it even more."

Viking coach David Kasa noticed the increased offensive output after the first period.

"We sent a number of tough shots their way, but were just unsuccessful with them," Kasa said. "After that first quarter, we began to move the ball around and get shots from different angles which greatly improved our chances due to higher percentage shots."

The win improved the No. 3 state ranking for the Vikings to put the team at 12-2 and 2-0 in the South Coast Conference, while dropping Chaffey to 11-6 and 1-2.

Despite the high ranking, the Vikings will not be able to rest on their laurels for long. They're scheduled to compete in a tournament in Merced on Friday, Oct. 3.

"We're expecting to do well and we're looking forward to the competition," Lincoln said. "This will present a great opportunity to test ourselves against a lot of talented teams in the state."

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