OVAC kids break even in Newbury
by Misty Volaski

The OVAC kids' water polo teams had two completely different results with two Gold Coast Water Polo squads this last Friday in Newbury Park's pool. OVAC's B Team, led by Matt Hartmann's four goals, kept at the Gold Coast B's for four quarters and won, 10-5. Gold Coast's scoring was led by Jake Karouk's four goals and George Papapa's ace.
Ojai's effort wasn't all Hartmann; Danielle Junod had a three-for-five shooting performance to go with her two assists, sprint and three steals. Allyson DeBallets was one for one in shooting with two steals and a defensive stuff, while Molly Katz was one for four in shooting with two assists and two steals.
Leading the Ojai defense with four steals was Caitlin Mahon, while Scottie Roberts had a defensive stuff and two steals. Elise Santangelo was one for two in shooting and had an assist to go with her two steals. A trio of steals and two defensive stuffs were contributed by Ernie Smith.
The Ojai end of the pool was anchored by Seth Scarminach in the goal with three saves, an assist and two steals.
The A game between both clubs was far different than the B game, with Gold Coast bringing in a completely fresh squad and Ojai just adding their older players and pulling a couple of their youngest.
Both teams looked a little stiff the first quarter and hobbled to a scoreless tie at the end of the first quarter. Both defenses looked formidable but neither squad could put anything together offensively; there wasn't a pair of shots by either squad in the period.
Gold Coast decided to up the ante the second period and this time, it was Ojai who couldn't answer. Gold Coast's Scott Clark, Chris Schenkel and Joey Hernandez scored before the half, dropping Ojai spirits and chances for the win. They were joined by teammates Nick Rockenfinger and Ian Brock in the second half. Ojai was still sitting at zero.
Danielle Junod put Ojai on the board with the team's only goal in the fourth quarter to go with her two steals and a defensive stuff. She was joined by Mahon who had three steals, Molly Katz who had pair of steals and Allyson DeBallets who had one steal.
Smith did Ojai proud in the cage with two blocked shots and three steals from the goal-tender position. Ben Foley won a sprint, had a pair of steals and had two shots go awry. Gold Coast, however, prevailed 7-1. Ojai will face both Camarillo squads this Friday in Newbury Park.
For information about Kids' Water Polo and the Tuesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. drop-in water polo for adults and high-schoolers, call Geoff Foley at 646-2218.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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