Although the Live Oak girls polo game turned out to be a 17-4
blowout, the Acorns weren
’t able to get much breathing room until the second half when
they pulled away and didn’t allow a goal.
Although the Live Oak girls polo game turned out to be a 17-4 blowout, the Acorns weren’t able to get much breathing room until the second half when they pulled away and didn’t allow a goal.
“You could tell it was our first game – we just weren’t crisp,” said coach Bryan Traverso. “I felt our passing was good. We were seeing the open people and getting them the ball, but our shooting needs improvement. We missed so many open shots.”
Both boys and girls teams struggled to figure out the officiating during the game.
“I think we had troubles adjusting to the refs,” Traverso said. “We didn’t get a lot of calls we normally would get, and the girls were getting frustrated.”
Live Oak scored two quick goals in the opening minute to start the game. Ronnie Gautschi, who led all scoring with nine goals, started the game with a goal on a steal. Amy Marshall lobbed a ball ahead to Breana Stevenson for the second goal.
Laura Melroy had a shot hit the top bar, and the Acorns didn’t score another goal until there was 1:29 left in the quarter after coach Bryan Traverso called a time out.
“In the huddle we talked about good passes and if you have the open shot, take it,” Traverso said. “The girls executed that to perfection and the result was a goal.”
With a minute to go, Monterey scored on a penalty shot to make it 3-2. Jessilyn Haines found Gautschi with 37 seconds left. Gautschi made a nice turn-around shot for the goal.
Breanna Sennert started off the second quarter with a steal. She sprinted down the pool with the defender right behind her, but Sennert’s shot hit the side post.
With 3:40 left before the half, Sennert again used her speed to jump in front for the steal. This time she was able to convert on the breakaway to give the Acorns a 5-2 advantage.
With 2:40 left, Gautschi wrestled a ball away from the goalie and was able to shove it and the goalie through for a point. But Monterey scored two more goals to get within 6-4 at the half.
Gautschi got things started in the third with a goal, and Sennert got a rebound on a short shot in front of the goal and put in for the 8-4 advantage.
“I think the difference between the halves had to do with the fact that we have a deep bench and we are able to sub a lot,” Traverso said. “I think the other team was worn down by the second half. We also seemed to adjust to the ref’s a little better.”
Team captain Chelsea Lanning came in off the bench and had a strong four-goal performance to help Live Oak pull away.
She continually made tough water shots, flicking and shot putting the ball in from the two-meter.
Gautschi was taken out briefly after scoring her seventh goal. Ryan Gautschi, who had scored seven goals in the boys game, thought he would at least be tied with his sister for bragging rights. But much to his chagrin, she was put back in and scored two more goals.
Live Oak goalie Danielle Maldonado was once again strong in the cage, gobbling up several tough shots.
