The Bay League girls water polo season opened with a classic contest Tuesday featuring the third and fourth ranked teams in CIF Southern Section Division 3.
The game between Mira Costa and host Palos Verdes showed that not much separates the two teams. The higher seeded Sea Kings needed four overtime periods, including two sudden death sessions, to pull out a 9-8 victory over the Mustangs.
Kirsten Gargas scored the game-winning goal but it was the Palos Verdes defense that proved the key factor. Mira Costa (6-4, 0-1) was held to only one shot in the two sudden-death periods. Palos Verdes improved its overall record to 6-7.
Trailing by a goal late in regulation, Mira Costa sent the game into overtime after Kelly Giery drew a penalty with only two seconds left. Giery’s long, arcing shot landed in the back corner of the net, giving the Mustangs hope.
In the second overtime period, Mira Costa’s Jordan Raney scored on a 5-meter penalty shot to tie the score and force a sudden-death situation.
Giery and Raney each scored three goals and Isabella Magno and Emily Milstead scored one apiece for the Mustangs.
Mira Costa goalkeeper Katy Heatherton recorded six saves while Carley Radov made 10 saves for Palos Verdes.
Redondo opened Bay League action Wednesday at Peninsula, the ninth ranked team in Division 3. The Sea Hawks play at Palos Verdes Monday before hosting West next Wednesday. League games are slated to start at 3 p.m.
