![Scanning the pool | 1/2 attacker junior Emma Roarick looks to make a play toward the goal in a 5-4 CIF first round win over Patriot. “I was feeling very nervous for this game because we played this team already and won by only one point last time. The game was nerve-wracking, and we had a lot of challenges that game. It was a very good game, and we put up a really good fight. It was exciting to win that game, especially for it being our first [CIF] game this season,” Roarick said.](https://whshoofprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_8662-1200x800.jpg)
Varsity girls water polo won their first round game in California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) 5-4 against Patriot High School Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Diamond Bar.
Although the team has made it to CIF in 2023, Tuesday’s win was the first time since 2021 that girls water polo advanced to the second round.
“In this game, I felt like [the girls] were being very non-selfish,” head coach Ashley Garcia said. “They came out with a very hungry attitude, like they wanted it. They wanted to make sure that they could do whatever they could to try and get the win.”
The first quarter saw the Patriots score the first point, taking the lead. However, the Mustangs were able to maintain their defense and end the quarter with a score of 0-1 without letting any more balls in. Walnut was able to then balance the score in the second quarter, which ended 2-2.
“After the first half, I think everyone started realizing that this could be the end of our season, because if we lose the game, we lose our season. We wanted to keep playing; we wanted to continue our season, so we put more passion into [the game],” captain goalie junior Ava Waggoner said.
After the five-minute halftime break, the Mustangs entered the third quarter with a sense of urgency to extend their lead—and they did—ending the third quarter with a score of 4-3. They lost momentum in the fourth quarter, finding themselves tied at 4-4 with only one minute left on the clock. However, soon after, captain senior Emma Baca scored the final ball, earning the Mustangs their victory when the fourth quarter concluded 5-4.
“We had previously played Patriot High School before, and we had only won 8-7, so we knew it was going to be a close game. We were definitely nervous, but we lifted each other up and manifested as a team that we would do well and pull through,” Waggoner said.
Originally, the game was scheduled to be played on campus, but because of Walnut’s pool malfunction, the team relocated to Diamond Bar. Despite the initial disorientation of playing in a foreign pool, the Mustangs were able to quickly adjust and play to the best of their ability.
“I know it’s been a long and a hard season, but I think this game was a good example that if we all have a positive outlook, positive energy and we uplift each other, we can accomplish a lot,” Waggoner said.
The team lost their second game 7-8 against El Dorado on Friday, Feb. 7, ending their 2025 water polo season.
“I feel very proud of what my team has been able to accomplish. We have all struggled together to get to this point, and I couldn’t be more proud of the girls who all fought their hardest for each other,” Baca said.” Ω
