Pirates third at Long Beach

The Orange Coast College women’s water polo team scored a

thrilling 5-4 victory over Merced to finish third in the Long Beach

Tournament at Long Beach City College Saturday.

OCC freshman Sara Natalizio scored the game-winner off an assist

from Nicole Sonnenfeld early in the first of two overtime periods.

The Pirates (21-7), the defending state champions who are ranked

fifth in the state, held No. 4 Merced scoreless in the final two

quarters and throughout overtime. Natalizio led OCC with two goals,

while Sarah Mitchell, Courtney Robertson and Shari Meyer scored one

goal each. Heather Deyden, the Pirates’ goalie, recorded 16 saves, 11

in regulation and five in overtime.

Coast lost to top-ranked Long Beach, coached by former Corona del

Mar High standout and former Olympian Chris Oeding, 6-4, in the

championship semifinal earlier in the day.

“We could have beat them,” OCC Coach Mike Giles said. “We just

made a lot of mistakes.”

Amber Braly led OCC with two goals, while Meyer and Robertson

tallied one each. Deyden recorded 17 saves.