Hancock Water Polo Splits Pair of Games to Open Season at Cuesta Tournament

Megan Coyne, Ellyn Clardy and Rebecca Gonzalez helped the Allan Hancock College women's water polo team split its first two games of the season during opening day of the Central Coast Invitational hosted by Cuesta College Friday. Hancock started with an 8-6 loss to Diablo Valley College, a program that finished third in the state last season. The Bulldogs bounced back with a 14-3 victory over West Valley College.

Coyne and Clardy, two freshmen who graduated from Righetti High School, had two goals apiece in the opener. Coyne added three assists. Shannon Copeland and Nikki Gurgiolo had one goal apiece. Kinsley Edman and Kaitlin McNeil, both sophomores, shared goalie duties. Edman had three bocks and McNeil had one.

In the second game, Clardy led the Bulldogs with five goals and three steals. Rebecca Gonzalez, a sophomore and All-Conference First Team selection in 2015, scored three times to go with five steals and one assists. Copeland scored three times and added three steals and two assists. Gurgiolo had three assists and one steal. McNeil had four saves in goal and Edman stopped one shot.

The tournament ends on Saturday.