Shore Helps Saddleback to Victory in Water Polo

Keith Shore scored with 27 seconds left to give Saddleback College a 10-9 victory over Golden West Saturday in a nonconference water polo match at Golden West.

Shore’s goal came on an assist from Dave Knox, who flipped the ball up in front of the net before Shore tapped it.

J.D. Dennis led Saddleback (10-1) with four goals, Shore had three and Knox, Bill Egan and Denny Bethke had one each. Saddleback goalie Vic Bakkila had 21 saves, including 12 in the second half when Saddleback’s defense lapsed at times.

Scott Larsen led Golden West (10-3) with four goals, David Budman had two and Craig Douglas, Arn Van Dyke and Andy Parazette one each.

Golden West, ranked second in the state in the coaches’ poll, is the only team to have defeated third-ranked Saddleback this season. Golden West won, 7-6, in the semifinals of the Cuesta tournament in September.

Golden West had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds. Douglas tried to pass the ball in front of the goal, but it was intercepted by Bethke with eight seconds left, and Saddleback ran the clock out.

Dennis scored two goals in the final 3:36 of the second quarter as Saddleback took a 4-3 halftime lead. Saddleback then had goals from Egan and Shore early in the third quarter to take a 6-3 lead. But Golden West scored the final three goals of the third quarter, including a penalty shot by Larsen with 2:20 left, to tie the score, 6-6.

In the fourth quarter, a goal by Shore gave Saddleback a 7-6 lead, but Golden West had goals from Larsen and Parazette to take an 8-7 lead with 5:40 left.

Two goals by Dennis gave Saddleback 9-8 lead with 4:09 left. Dennis’ second goal came on a rebound after Golden West failed to cover a lose ball in front of the net.

Golden West tied the score, 9-9, with 3:40 left on a goal by Budman.