Saddleback Edges Cypress in Conference Contest

The Saddleback women's water polo team posted a tight 4-3 victory over visiting Cypress College during Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday.

The Gauchos (4-2 overall, 1-1 in conference) used a tough defense to frustrate the Chargers (2-8, 0-2).  It was Saddleback's own shooting inaccuracy which frustrated themselves at the offensive end of the pool.  The Gauchos had several shots hit the posts or crossbars and carrom out.  The Cypress goalie, Becca Stephensen, stopped Saddleback's 5-meter penalty shot with the score tied at 3-3 with 5:20 to play in the fourth quarter to add to the drama.

It would be Saddleback freshman Katy Fortier who accounted for the eventual winning goal, finding herself open four meters outside the far post when the Chargers were whistled for a foul in the right flat.

Saddleback scored first to take a 1-0 lead before Cypress knotted the score at 1-1.  Kaity King added a goal just before halftime to give Saddleback a 2-1 advantage.  Sophomore Brittany Farrell added a goal to put Saddleback up 3-1 in the third before the Chargers battled back to tie the score again.