.png)
CIF-Southern Section overtime losses seem to be setting an unfortunate trend at South Pasadena High this week as the school suffered its second straight on Tuesday.
The Tigers’ boys’ varsity soccer team began the string of setbacks on Monday, dropping a 2-1 Division 3 Wildcard match to Chaminade in double overtime, before the girls’ water polo team topped that the following day with a Division 4 triple overtime 7-6 loss to Etiwanda.
Both defeats took place at South Pasadena High, setting the stage for four straight home CIF-SS contests this week. Action continues Wednesday night as the Tigers host Sunny Hills at 7 p.m. in a boys’ varsity Division 3 first round basketball game. On Thursday, the basketball play swings over to the girls’ varsity side, as South Pasadena takes on Glendora in a 2AA 7 p.m. first round game.
In Tuesday’s water polo action, the Tigers jumped out to a 2-1 lead after one period before Etiwanda outscored South Pasadena 3-1 in the second to take a 4-3 lead into halftime. The teams traded goals in the third period and the game ended 5-5 after regulation as the Tigers tallied the lone goal in the fourth quarter.
Both squads scored once in the first overtime. There was no scoring in the second, and the visitors finally won it in the third, knocking in the golden goal – meaning the first team to score wins it – with 37 seconds left on the clock.
Scoring for South Pasadena came from Ruby Meyer, a freshman, with two goals; Hayun Lee, a freshman, also with a pair; Amaya Mahler, a sophomore, with one goal and Cora Bild, a sophomore, with one more. Tigers’ goalie Reese Buckley had another solid effort, making key saves from the outset.
“These players demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the game,” praised SPHS Athletic Director CB Richards when it was all over.
While it’s never easy coming out on the losing end, Richards noted the Tigers were a very young team and will look to build off this year’s success when the 2024-2025 season rolls around.
“On a positive note, I would like to commend the SPHS girls’ water polo team for their unwavering commitment and sportsmanship displayed during today’s game,” he said. “Despite the outcome, they showed resilience and teamwork, which are truly commendable qualities.”
