Freshman utility player Ariahn Givens dressed the costume of a superhero appropriately on Halloween day even if it really was just her usual wetsuit and No. 17 cap. Givens set a school record for steals in a game with 13 and was a part of half of her team’s goals scored to help the Pasadena City College women’s water polo team down Santa Monica, 16-5. The game ended PCC’s 12th Mini Tournament at the Aquatic Center on Friday afternoon.
Givens, from Venice High, snapped the old record of 10 set by Karissa Peltier in 2006. Givens blocked shots, made aggressive steals and was equally effective on the other side of the pool as she scored five goals and added three assists.
In other tournament games, PCC lost to Ventura, 15-6, East Los Angeles downed Santa Monica, 13-7, and Ventura beat East LA, 13-8.
The Lancers (2-19 overall) snapped an 18-match losing streak in beating the Corsairs. Center-forward Stephanie Velasco, honored with three others as part of a sophomore tribute ceremony for its last home game of the season, powered in six goals. Sophomore Caroline Liu added three goals and three assists while letterman Lisa Munoz chipped in two goals and three assists. Freshman Sharon Perez tallied five assists  and three steals.
PCC had an outstanding day on extra-player opportunities with five power play goals. After letting a 3-0 lead slip away at 3-3 by the end of the first quarter, the Lancers responded by outscoring SMC, 8-0, in the middle two quarters. The team’s defense recorded 23 steals.
Givens is approaching the team’s single season steals record of 109 held by Sarah Min (2006). She upped her total to 105 in just 21 games played.
In the Ventura defeat, Vanessa Natividad scored two goals
“Ariahn is a unique talent who just has to gain confidence as she matures in the pool,” said PCC head coach Terry Stoddard. “The performance here v. Santa Monica was truly a utility job. She’s a defensive giant, but she is capable of shooting the ball with precision like she did. She also was on target with some long passes. We need to carry this momentum into the SCC Tournament.”
The Lancers likely could play four more games at the South Coast Conference Championship Tournament held November 6-8 at Mt. San Antonio College. PCC must first win a play-in game v. Los Angeles Trade Tech on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 11:30 a.m.
Release Date: 10/31/14
Robert Lewis, Sports Information
Phone: 626-585-7018, Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu
Fall Sports
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
