Fullerton Women's Water Polo: State Runner-Up
The Hornets traveled up north to West Valley College to play in the CCCAA State Championship tournament this past weekend and fell short of a state title in overtime.
The Hornets traveled up north to West Valley College to play in the CCCAA State Championship tournament this past weekend and fell short of a state title in overtime.
On Friday, No. 1 South Fullerton won the semifinal game against No 2. North San Joaquin Delta 13-12 in a close overtime shootout. Hornets goal scorers were Briana Portales (4), Bryanna Santis (3), Abigail Nunez (3), Alexandra Lopez (1), Diana Leivas (1), and Annelise Hernandez (1).
Playing in their first State Championship game since 2014, the Hornets took on the No.1 seed from the north Sierra College and fell in overtime 7-6. Sierra took a 4-1 lead into the halftime break, but then the Hornets came rushing back to tie the game up by the end of regulation. In overtime, Sierra held Fullerton scoreless while they added the winning goal on a penalty shot, which marked the first-ever women's water polo title-win for any Northern California team. FC goals were had by Jessica Contreras (2), Bryanna Santis (2), Briana Portales (1), and Tarsis Ledezma (1).
The last time Fullerton lost in the State Championship game was in back 2012, a 12-7 loss to OEC rival Golden West. They went on to win their first State title in 2014.
Fullerton ended the season with only three losses with an overall record of 29-3. They also laid claim to the 2018 Orange Empire Conference Championship (their third in the last five years ). It was truly a great water polo season for the Hornets.