Paladin

Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Christian Millan LBCC goalkeeper Chelsea Datt makes a save in the game against Chaffey on Wednesday, Oct. 1. [Click to enlarge]

Both the Viking men and women's water polo teams shared the same results at the Merced tournament which began on Friday, Oct. 3.

Both teams lost their first matches on the tournament's first day, but finished with wins on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The Viking women defeated Sierra, 9-8, to improve to 15-3 and 2-0 in the South Coast Conference. Vikes Freshman Kimmy Morrison scored four goals and sophomore Ally Edge chipped in with three. Freshman goalie Chelsea Datt finished with eight saves.

The men edged out Grossmont, 13-11, improving to 7-3 and 2-0.

Before they headed to the tournament, both teams won at the LAC Pool on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

A strong second period helped the Viking women defeat Chaffey, 11-7, 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. 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.

On the eve of the Merced competition, the Vikings' expectations were high.

"This will present a great opportunity to test ourselves against a lot of talented teams in the state," Viking driver Jessica Lincoln said.

In a preview match, the Viking men's team did away with Chaffey easily whom they faced and defeated, 18-7, at Merced.

"Working hard and sticking to the fundamentals" definitely helped, said goalie Duran Reid, after the 19-9 win over Chaffey.

Even with a sluggish start and a quick change of players in the pool, the Viking men managed to score seven goals in the first period. Defender Brandon Loveless scored three goals in a row.

In the second period, Jeff Volsin contributed along with several of his teammates for a total of eight goals, making the score 15-3 in favor of the Vikings. After the half, the Viking's came back a little off, letting Chaffey have a faint hope of a comeback, but it was too late.

By the end of the third period, the score was 16-6 in favor of the Vikings. "It's not how many goals you score, but the teamwork that wins games," said Viking driver Marko Miljanovic.

The women are scheduled to face Pasadena Thursday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.

The men are scheduled to host Cerritos Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. at the LAC Pool.

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