The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial
Millikan’s Kiara Maze and Hailey Suttle combined for 14 saves to lift the Rams’ girls’ water polo team to a thrilling 6-3 win over Long Beach Poly Wednesday afternoon.
The two rotated after each quarter, but it didn’t matter as the two combined for six saves in the first half and eight saves in the second half which was just enough to keep stop any Poly comeback attempt.
“I think for us, we like switching quarter 1, 3 and 2 and 4,” Maze said. “I think that really helps us build back our stamina and we’re able to block goals and make an effort and do our part for our team.”
Poly took an early 1-0 lead after a goal from Liz Garcia, however Millikan’s Larsen Jensen tied the match midway through the first period in what was a defensive slugfest.
The Jackrabbits took a 2-1 lead after the first thanks to Anna Mor finding the back of the cage on a 6-on-5 opportunity.
With Hailey Suttle in the cage in the second period, Millikan was able to tie the match and take a 4-2 lead as the duo continued to keep the Jackrabbits attackers off balance.
The Rams were able to take control of the game behind goals from Jensen, Daniella Fernandez and Devon Fletcher.
“Both teams were playing high-level defense,” Poly coach Ryan Rockenbach said. “We were forcing shots from awkward locations and both sides in both cages there was good efforts from the goalies.”
While the Jackrabbits were attempting to come back, Poly’s Paige Elder came up big in the cage with 11 saves, coming up with big stops against the Rams’ attack.
After Poly cut the lead to 4-3 thanks to a goal from Mikayla Shekell, Jensen scored her third goal of the afternoon to put the game out of reach heading into the fourth quarter.
“It’s nerve-wracking especially coming in – in the fourth quarter there’s a lot riding on it,” Suttle said. “I just had to trust myself and my team and trust Kiara. It’s nerve-wracking but that’s what makes it so fun, the rush of it.”
