Hancock Wins Back-And-Forth Thriller 12-11 At LA Pierce For Program's First Conference Win

Rebecca Gonzalez and Ashley Lindsey both scored three goals, while Nikki Gurgiolo accounted for the game-winner as the Allan Hancock College women's water polo team edged host L.A. Pierce 12-11 in a back-and-forth game on Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs, who were playing their first game in three weeks, captured the first Western State Conference win in program history. 

The Bulldogs, who are in the middle of their inaugural season, improved to 1-4 in conference and 2-4 overall in their inaugural season. The Brahmas dropped to 0-6 in WSC games and 0-8 overall.

The Bulldogs trailed L.A. Pierce 4-2 after the first period, but rallied to tie it at 4-4 at halftime. Hancock outscored the Brahmas 4-1 in the third to carry an 8-5 lead into the final period. However, Pierce scored three goals in less than one minute to tie the game at 8-8. The two squads went back and forth and exchanged leads three times. Finally, Gurgiolo, a freshman, found the back of the net for what proved to be the game-winning goal. LA Pierce had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but could not score the equalizer.

Gonzalez, a Nipomo High School scored three times on five shots. Lindsey, a sophomore, scored three on six attempts. Gurgiolo, a Righetti High School graduate, and Marissa Davis, a Cabrillo graduate, each scored twice. Naveli Martinez Campos and Bianca McNeil added one goal each. Caija McNeil, Martinez Campos, and McNeil each had one steal in the victory.

Goalie Kinsley Edman recorded eight blocks in the cage for the Bulldogs.

Hancock returns home to host Southwestern at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center in Santa Maria.