Murrieta Valley Girls Water Polo Eliminated in Overtime

A controversial call at the end of regulation play helped end the Nighthawk water polo season.

Deadlocked 6-6 with a minute to play, Maddie Sanchez had a breakaway and closed in on Santa Margarita goalie Nikki Doumas. Defenders swamped her, the whistle blew, a time out was called and Santa Margarita regained possession with 0:55:32 left in regulation.

“On breakaway like that where (the defender) is taking away a potential goal, there should be a penalty call, for sure,” said Murrieta Valley coach Bryan Lynton. “Whether (Sanchez is) holding the ball or not. In a game like that where it’s so tight and you see where there’s a player with an advantage, you call it, otherwise no one ever scores and this game is boring and they just beat each other up the whole time.”

The Eagles proceeded to score two in overtime to eliminate Murrieta Valley from the Division 2 playoffs.

“It was a good game. If we’re competing with that, then we’re OK,” Lynton said. “They played tough defensive and we didn’t get our shots.”

Paige Virgil scored four goals for the Nighthawks. Delayne Lynton and Kelly Geurtz each put one into the net. Abbie Govia was outstanding in goal and had 13 saves. 

The Nighthawks will return all of their starters next season and the future looks bright for Murrieta Valley girls water polo.