Kelsey Russell’s five-meter shot ties the game up at 5-all at
the end of regulation
SALINAS
Kelsey Russell’s five-meter shot in the last minute of regulation Tuesday sent the game to extra time where the San Benito girls water polo team upended host Salinas, 7-5.
Russell’s shot tied the game at 5-all and ensured San Benito of a second chance after they had fallen behind 3-0 to the Cowboys after one period.
In the extra time, Amanda Virak put the Lady ‘Balers 1-up, while Jeanett Rodriguez added an insurance goal later in the extra period to give San Benito a two-goal cushion.
“We had to make some adjustments after the first quarter, but they came back well,” coach Hayley Vandercook said. “They did an excellent job and played really good defensively.
“It was a really good win.”
Salinas’ 3-goal lead after one period was cut slightly at the half, as San Benito began their comeback in the second quarter and trailed the Cowboys 4-2 at the break.
The Haybalers knotted it up at 4-all entering the fourth, and after falling behind by a goal in the final stanza, Russell’s late-game heroics kept San Benito afloat.
San Benito (1-1 Tri-County Athletic League, 2-1 overall) will play in the Wilcox Tournament on both Friday and Saturday.
The Lady ‘Balers will open Friday at 3:30 p.m. against San Lorenzo Valley, and will play again at 6 p.m. against Homestead. On Saturday, the team will wrap up pool play with an 11:30 a.m. meeting against Pioneer, and will be seeded appropriately from there for bracketed play on Saturday afternoon.
