With both teams undefeated in South Coast Conference play heading into their match on Wednesday, the Cerritos College women's water polo team came up short in a 13-6 score against Long Beach City College. The game was origionally scheduled to be played at Long Beach, but construction at their pool moved the game to the Falcon Aquatic Center. Next up for the Falcons (16-6, 6-1) is a three-game day at the Santa Barbara City Tournament on Saturday with games against Los Angeles Valley College (9:00 a.m.), West Valley College (11:00 a.m.) and host Vaqueros at 1:00 p.m., with all games being played at Santa Barbara High School.

Cerritos was able to stay with the Vikings (20-5, 7-0) through the first half and trailed, 8-5. They were as close as 6-4 in the second period after a goal from Mia Carbajal (Schurr HS) with 3:49 left on the clock. Sophomore Mayra Olivas (Montebello HS) closed out the first half scoring on a power play goal with :44 seconds remaining.

However, Long Beach City opened the second half by scoring the first two goals of the third period and limited Cerritos to just one goal on the period. Trailing, 10-6 after the second goal of the game by Olivas, the Vikings scored the game's final three goals and shut out the Falcons in the fourth period. LBCC clamped down on defense in front of the goal, forcing the Falcons to rely on perimieter passing to find and open shot.

Olivas and freshman Elizabeth Megaw (West Torrance HS) each scored twice, while sophomore Amy Cervantes (Montebello HS/East Los Angeles College) assisted on three goals, and added three steals also also drew three ejections. Carbajal also assisted on a pair of goals, with freshman goalie April Nuno (Cerritos HS) posting five saves.

Photos by Daryl Peterson