Falcons pull out another close one against rival Tigers

GLENDALE — With just three days elapsed since the teams’ last meeting, the South Pasadena High girls’ water polo team didn’t have to wait long to get another crack at Crescenta Valley.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Wednesday’s nonleague match at Crescenta Valley unfolded in nearly identical fashion as the first, with the Falcons prevailing, 9-8, in a down-to-the-wire finish.

“This is like a repeat of Saturday,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Pete Loporchio, whose team outlasted South Pasadena, 11-10, in sudden-death overtime in the championship game of the Los Altos Tournament on Saturday. “I think that’s typical of our play with South Pas, one, because the girls know each other so well from playing on the same Junior Olympic team, and, two, just the quality of their team. They’re really good, they’re a very solid team.”

Kim Fraisse scored on a mid-range shot with 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to break a tie and deliver the Falcons, who are ranked fourth in CIF Southern Section Division V, their eighth straight win to begin the season.

South Pasadena, which is ranked fifth in Division III, fell to 8-2 on the season.

The Tigers stuck to the Falcons the entire match, from a 1-1 score at the end of the first quarter, to a 4-4 deadlock at halftime. Crescenta Valley finally got a little separation, 6-5, going into the fourth quarter before South Pasadena tied it up once again inside the final minute.

“It’s always fun to play [South Pasadena],” Loporchio said. “It’s a good, intense, friendly rivalry.”

Fraisse, who also scored the game-winner on Saturday, had two goals Wednesday to tie for the team lead with Shannon Hovanesian. Crescenta Valley also got goals from Sabrina Hatzer, Stefanie Loporchio, Christine Cho, Breanna Lawton and Adrienne Ingalla.

“The trademark of our team is depth,” Loporchio said. “You’re going to see six or seven or eight [players] with one, two or three [goals].”