Riverside edges Vaqueros 9-8 in OT to win State title

Mary Myers scored with 10 seconds left in the first overtime to lift No. 2 Riverside to a 9-8 overtime win over SBCC in the CCCAA State women's water polo championship game.

The No. 1 Vaqueros finish at 33-2 with both losses coming to Riverside (30-3). The teams split their four meetings this year, 2-2. SBCC downed the Tigers 10-7 last Saturday to win its first Southern Cal Regional title.

Riverside, the State runner-up the last three years, won its fifth State title and first since 2011. The Vaqueros, who started their program three years ago, were making their first championship game appearance.

The Vaqueros trailed 3-0 early in the second quarter and played catch-up for the whole game at Las Positas College in Livermore.

Martin scored four goals and had five steals for the Tigers, who led 4-2 at halftime and 8-5 after three quarters. SBCC won the fourth quarter 3-0 to force overtime with Gabrielle Ritter, Charissa Dorn and Addison Seale finding the net. Seale tied it 8-8 on a goal with 2:30 to play.

Seale had two goals, six steals and two assists Vaquero scoring leader Kendra Carr was held to two goals. Mackenzie Richards made a season-high 13 saves in goal.

Martin was named MVP of the State tournament. Richards and Ivanna Bilaver made the all-tourney team.

"We came out slow as a team and our defense was the issue in the beginning," said coach Chuckie Roth. "Riverside was shooting well on the perimeter. The way we came back from a four-goal deficit (8-4) was amazing. We turned the momentum in our favor.

"We had several opportunities and their goalie played well and that was the difference."

Roth said he's proud of this group, which started the year 22-0 and had an 11-game win streak snapped on Saturday.

"I'm sad to see the season end but it was an amazing season and we grew so much as individuals," he stated. "I'm sad to see this group move on but I'm so proud of their accomplishments and getting to the State final. Their legacy will live on."
 
   CCCAA State Final
Riverside …....... 2  4  4  0  1  0 -- 9
SBCC …………..... 0  2  3  3  0  0 -- 8
 SBCC – Goals: Carr 2, Seale 2, Johnson 1, Bilaver 1, Dorn 1, Ritter 1. Saves: Richards 13.