No. 2 Vaqueros claim sixth straight WSC title, 16-11

Annie Ackert and Taylor Brooks combined for 11 goals on Saturday as No. 2 SBCC downed No. 5 Citrus 16-11 to capture its sixth straight Western State Conference women's water polo championship.

Ackert, a former Santa Ynez High star, scored five of her season-high six goals in the first half as the top-seeded Vaqueros (28-4, 8-0) took an 8-6 lead at L.A. Valley. The Owls (26-7, 7-2) got within one, 8-7, on Breanna Bailey's goal with 6:37 to go in the third but the Vaqueros responded with goals by Hana Wigzell and Brooks to expand the margin to three, 10-7.

SBCC is 50-2 in six seasons of WSC play and extended its WSC win streak to 40 in a row.

Brooks had five goals and two steals, raising their state-leading total to 121 goals. Brooks, who's scored 28 goals in the last six games (4.7 avg.), needs three goals to break Emma Fraser's school record of 123, set last year.

Zoe Johnson turned away 10 shots in goal.

"Madison Wayman played her best game of the season and Zoe had some amazing moments," said SBCC coach Chuckie Roth. "Citrus missed three 5-meter penalties with Zoe blocking one and the other two barring out. She had a great presence in the cage today.

"Annie Ackert had a great game, she was solid on defense and offense. Lanie Acevedo had some clutch moments and really showed why she's one of our most improved players. Taylor Brooks had some great outside shots."

The Vaqueros went on a 5-1 run in the third and fourth quarters, capped by goals from Acevedo and Bleu Ricketts that boosted the lead to 15-10 with 4:31 to play.

"I'm really happy for this team," said Roth after taking the traditional plunge in the pool to celebrate with his team. "We've gone through a lot and learned a lot about each other. We've done a great job supporting one another and it shows in and out of the pool."

The Vaqueros will be one of the top four seeds for the 12-team Southern Cal Regional, which starts on Thursday at Riverside City College. SBCC is the No. 3 seed and will play a quarterfinal game vs. No. 6 Golden West on Friday at 5:45 p.m. Watch the game on Live Stream for free. If the Vaqueros win, they'll play in the semifinals on Saturday at 12:15 p.m.