Hancock Water Polo Scores First Win in Program History, Beats Pasadena 10-9 During LA Valley Tournament

Rebecca Gonzalez scored four goals and Nikki Gurgiolo fired home three more to lead the Allan Hancock College women's water polo team to a 10-9 win over Pasadena for the first victory in program history. The Bulldogs opened the 2015 season with a 16-8 loss to L.A. Valley College, which hosted a mini-tournament on Saturday.

Hancock finished its historic weekend at 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Western State Conference play under first-year head coach Ben Britten.

Hancock fell behind 6-3 at halftime against Pasadena, but upped its play in the second half to win the back and forth battle. Kaitlin McNeil, a Pioneer Valley High School graduate, played the second half in goal for Hancock and allowed three goals with seven shots. Cabrillo High School graduate Kinsley Edman started the game in the cage, and blocked three of Pasadena's nine shots against her.

Gonzalez (pictured above), a Nipomo High School graduate, scored four times on eight shots, and had one steal. Gurgiolo, a Righetti High School alumnus, scored three times on five shots before she was ejected in the third. Kathie Aparicio, a Pioneer Valley High School graduate, added two goals for Hancock, while sophomore Ashley Lindsey collected another goal.

Hancock trailed 13-1 at halftime against L.A. Valley, but regrouped to make a game of it. The Bulldogs outscored LA Valley 7-3 in the second half. Gonzalez, a Nipomo High School graduate, was the Bulldogs' top scorer with two goals. Aparicio, Caija McNeil, Bianca McNeil, Lindsey, Gurgiolo and Nayeli Martinez Campos each scored once for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Ventura College. The conference game begins at 2:15 p.m.