Kaylee Gutierrez scores one of her three goals on Wednesday. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
By Parker Costin, Correspondent
The Paloma Valley girls water polo team lost to Valley View 8-5 on Wednesday in their Sunbelt League opener. Even with the loss, the Wildcats have a 9-4 overall record, however.
Kaylee Gutierrez led the Paloma Valley offense with three goals. She also starred on defense with a block and two steals.
“It was a tough game, but my team was able to trust me during high-scoring chances, and it felt like I had to deliver during those moments for us,” Gutierrez said. “We had good scoring all-around tonight, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the outcome that we wanted to.”
The pace throughout the game was back and forth, with the Wildcats exerting great offensive zone pressure, creating chances at the goal and great opportunities. Ultimately, however, those shots tended to bounce off the goal post and go out of bounds.
The defense was streaky throughout the game. The Wildcats’ outside zone pressure was great, but they struggled in the interior. The strengths for Paloma Valley on defense were Gutierrez and goalkeeper Matilyn Knowlton, who made great saves. On one of them, she leaped from one side of the goal to the other to prevent a score and launch a pass to Maya Lawrence, keeping the momentum going and resulting in a goal for the Wildcats.
Coming into the third period, it was clear that the game plan was to be far more aggressive on offense. The Wildcats scored twice in the period, both from Gutierrez.
In the fourth period, the Wildcats got an amazing goal from Emma Lerma, who intercepted the ball from Valley View and capitalized inside.
The Wildcats will look to get back in the win column when they leave town to visit the Ramona Rams on Friday night.
Matilyn Knowlton defends the goal for the Wildcats. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Maya Lawrence looks to get a shot off Wednesday. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Danica Munoz prepares to take a shot for the Wildcats. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)
Sienna Pospisil moves the ball forward for the Wildcats. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
Kaylee Gutierrez rises up to take a shot. (Photo by Action Captures Media)
