Vaqueros rally to win home debut 12-10

The SBCC women's water polo team checked another historic milestone off its list on Wednesday by rallying to edge L.A. Valley 12-10 at San Marcos High for its first home win in program history.

Star utility player Rocio Fesembeck led all players with six goals — just one shy of her career high — and complemented her scoring with two steals and an assist. She found the net for City College's first five goals of the contest and currently leads the conference in scoring.

"This was the best game I've been a part of at this level," said coach Chuckie Roth. "I was proud of our perseverance. The girls were excited to be at home and we had at least 70 people here. The girls didn't want to disappoint them."

The Vaqueros (4-6 overall, 2-0 WSC) controlled the pace for the majority of the first half and took a 5-3 lead at intermission. But a six-goal third quarter by LAVC (4-2, 0-2) gave the Monarchs a 9-8 lead heading into the final period.

Double- and triple-teamed for most of the second half, Fesembeck was virtually eliminated as a scoring threat. But Kaitlyn Wentz Fitzgerald picked up where Fesembeck left off, scoring four goals in the final 16 minutes and providing the much-needed 1-2 punch for SBCC's comeback effort. She added three assists.

Jessica Leathers and Paula Tkach contributed one goal apiece.

Abdiel "AJ" Gravatt led the red and black with five steals while Maddie Brooks tallied a pair of assists.

Filling in for the injured Alex Brown, Autumn Lovett took a break from playing in the field and posted a phenomenal performance in the cage. She finished with six saves and two steals to anchor the Vaquero defense.

Santa Barbara has a quick turnaround, traveling to the 18th annual Mountie Classic at Mt. SAC on Friday and Saturday. The Vaqueros will take on Cypress on Friday at 9:10 a.m. and then play another game in the afternoon.

The squad returns home to SMHS on Oct. 15 for a match against defending WSC champion L.A. Pierce at 5 p.m. Ryan Graff and Kaytee Krivulka will be on the call on the Vaquero Broadcasting Network.

L.A. Valley …….… 1   2   6   1 -- 10
SBCC ……….........  3   2   3   4 -- 12
 Goals--SB: Fesembeck 6, Wentz Fitzgerald 4, Tkach 1, Leathers 1. Goalie saves--SB: Lovett 6.