Owls Just Miss Upset Bid

Glendora, CA -- The Citrus College Women's Water Polo team opened up their 2013 Western State Conference slate on Wednesday afternoon by hosting Cuesta College.  The Owls led deep into the fourth against the Cougars, but gave up three late goals just missing on an upset bid in an 11-9 loss.

The game was hard fought throughout as goals were at a premium for the entirety of the contest. Cuesta took an early 3-2 lead after the first quarter, while each team was held to a single score in the second. 

Trailing by a single score at the break, the Owls outscored Cuesta 4-3 in the third quarter to tie the game up at 7-7 headed into the final eight minutes. Early in the fourth, Citrus drew an ejection and took advantage of being a man up to take an 8-7 lead. 

Cuesta quickly retaliated though and took the lead back after scoring on a pair of turnovers by the Owls. The Cougars scored again with 1:25 left to go up by two. The Owls would cut the lead back down to one with 54 seconds to go, but an ejection deep in the shot clock put the Owls down and Cuesta in time killing mode. Citrus pulled the goalie out of the cage to try to force a turnover, but Cuesta score on an empty goal with just seconds remaining to put the game away for good. 

All of Citrus goals on Wednesday, we're scored by two individuals. Sophomore Candelaria Bacca scored six of Citrus' nine goals, while sophomore Lora Marquez-Salgado scored the other three. Freshman goalie Rose Takeuchi blocked seven shots for the Owls.

With the loss, Citrus falls to 5-6 overall and 0-1 in WSC play. The Owls will be right back in the water this weekend as they take part in the San Diego Women's Water Polo Classic.  Citrus starts the weekend off with a 2:30 PM appointment with San Joaquin Delta College at San Diego Mesa College.