Sang Lee
VERDUGO PARK POOL -- For a second-year program with an outlook that is
almost always optimistic, even the Burbank Highgirls' water polo team had
to take its loss to Mark Keppel on Tuesday as a step back.
The Bulldogs fought with a much more evenly-matched opponent than in
recent Almont League matches, but still found themselves on the losing
end, 12-2, at Verdugo Park Pool
It wasn't a pretty match to watch, as Burbank first-year Coach John
Abdou had to retool the right words for his team's lackadaisical day.
"I don't want to say I was disappointed, but I have to say I've seen
my team play better," Abdou said.
"We just came out flat. We were two seconds behind in every play."
The Aztecs (9-9, 2-3 in league) were quick to take advantage. Mark
Keppel scored early and often, as Natalie Hernanadez and Sarah Duran led
the team with four goals each.
And the match got worse as it went along, with Mark Keppel scoring
most of its goals later in the match.
"We started slow, but started to convert later on. I think we played
well, but Burbank was a bit tired at the end when we started scoring
counter-goals," Aztec Coach Tim Postiff said.
Despite the lopsided score, Burbank's Alice Geuvjehizian has been a
consistent leader in goal. She again put up big numbers with 12 saves.
Jennifer Ullo scored both of the Bulldogs' goals.
Another reason the Bulldogs (4-7, 0-4) were slightly unfocused might
have been the lack of time the team had to prepare for the match. Burbank
did not have practice on Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday.
Mark Keppel did have practice, since it was able to use its school
facility to play. The Bulldogs have been using both the McCambridge Pool
and the Verdugo Park Pool for its workouts. Both are city-owned pools.
"I'm not trying to make excuses," Abdu said. "But we are at the mercy
of the city. We're constantly trying to find time for a pool. Practice
time is important for a team which lacks experience. Every minute is
crucial.
"But that's just a disadvantage we have to deal with. Our
responsibility is just to play with heart."
