Tal Scores 7 Times, Vaqueros Runaway in 18-2 Season-Opening Win

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Seeing its first action in almost two years, the SBCC women's water polo opened its 2021 season with an 18-2 thrashing over Ohlone on day one of the Cuesta Central Coast Invitational.

Behind driver Eden Tal's seven goals, the Vaqueros earned their sixth consecutive season-opening victory and easily their most lopsided over that stretch. Tal's seven scores on just nine attempts were the most in an SBCC season-opener since at least 2014.

Charlize Winter also posted a hat trick with three goals to go along with an assist and a steal. Jenna Olson and Sadie Mead finished with two goals apiece. Allison Kay got into the scoring department with one goal while adding a team-high four assists.

The Vaqueros didn't take long to establish dominance in the pool, putting away the first 11 goals of the day. Ensley Letterman put them up 11-0 with her lone score of the day at the 1:59 mark of the second quarter. She also recorded three assists.

After coming out of the halftime break leading 11-1, the Vaqueros closed the third out on a 4-0 run, capped by the sixth of the day for Tal with 38 seconds to go.

Ohlone added one more goal to start the fourth and final frame before Mead answered with back-to-back goals. Tal tucked away her seventh and final score of the day with 5:26 remaining to make it 18-2.

Also making a mark on the Vaquero scoresheet with one goal were Emily Clapham, Megan Ditlof and Emily Lopez. Clapham added two assists as well.

Defending the cage, goalkeeper Chloe Mckay had 13 saves and three steals.

The Vaqueros are scheduled for two more contests tomorrow against Diablo Valley (10:15 am) and West Valley (1:30 pm).