Women’s Water Polo: Roadrunners edged in overtime by Pasadena

Rio Hondo goalie Valentina Orozco totaled 18 saves in the loss to Pasadena. (Photo by Michael Watkins/PCC Athletics)
Rio Hondo goalie Valentina Orozco totaled 18 saves in the loss to Pasadena. (Photo by Michael Watkins/PCC Athletics)

Rio Hondo College sophomore June Babishoff totaled nine goals, including a go-ahead score in the last minute of regulation. But it wasn't enough as visiting Pasadena City College tied up the game and eventually pulled it out in overtime to defeat the Roadrunners by a final score of 13-11 on Wednesday in both teams' South Coast Conference opener.

Rio Hondo is still looking for its first win and fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

The Roadrunners trailed for a majority of the contest but finally pulled ahead late in the third quarter. Babishoff led the surge with three unanswered goals, including her score with 20 seconds left in the period that gave Rio Hondo a 7-6 advantage heading into the fourth.

A back-and-forth battle in the final quarter saw Babishoff give Rio Hondo a 10-9 lead with 56 seconds left in regulation. But PCC answered with a goal by Marley Courtney with 44 seconds remaining that would send the contest to overtime.

Pasadena outscored Rio Hondo 3-1 during the two overtime periods to secure the Lancers' win.

Amera Elsayed and Ariana Barba also scored for the Roadrunners while goalie Valentina Orozco totaled 18 saves.

The Roadrunners return to action next Wednesday (Sep. 22) when they travel to Mt. San Antonio College for a 3 p.m. South Coast Conference game.