The Long Beach City College women's water polo team opened up its home and South Coast Conference schedule in impressive fashion, as the Vikings cruised to a 20-1 win over visiting East Los Angeles College on Wednesday. The victory improved Long Beach to 4-1 overall this season and 1-0 in conference play.
The Vikings jumped out to an 11-0 first quarter lead and were never threatened. Seven of LBCC's eight field players scored in the contest. Sophomores Ashley Diaz (Esperanza HS), Cori Reynolds (Poly HS), and Caroline Nash (Millikan HS) all had four goals to lead Long Beach. Reynolds added four assists while Diaz also contributed three assists and five steals.
Sophomore Makenna Oberst (Los Alamitos HS) also had a good all-around game, totaling three goals, five assists, and four steals. Freshman Natalie Nilan (St. Joseph HS) chipped in with three goals and five steals.
Freshman goalie Felicia DePalma (St. Joseph HS) nearly had the shutout for Long Beach, but allowed the lone ELAC goal with 4:12 to play in the second quarter. She posted five saves and two steals.
Long Beach returns to action next Wednesday (Sept. 23) when the Vikings travel to Rio Hondo College for a 3 p.m. SCC game.