Sophomore Ashley Cordobes scored the game-wining goal vs. Santa Rosa in the second sudden death period.

Sophomore Raylynn Castillo tied the game with her goal in the second overtime to keep the Vikings alive vs. Santa Rosa

Sophomore Brandon Loveless scored three goals vs. American River to send LBCC to the third place game.

Women's
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November 21, 2008

Water Polo State Championships:
LBCC women to play for state title, men reach third place game

The LBCC women's water polo team needed two overimes and two more sudden death periods to defeat Santa Rosa College 8-7 on Friday to earn a spot in the state championship final game on Saturday in Merced.

LBCC head coach Chris Oeding called it the most exciting game of the tournament and the season for the Vikings.

With Long Beach leading 6-5 in the fourth quarter, Santa Rosa tied up the game with one second left to send the game into overtime.

After a scoreless first overtime period, Santa Rosa finally broke the deadlock with 15 seconds left.

But the Vikings didn't give up. With time winding down in the final seconds, freshman Kimmy Morrison earned an ejection foul in front of the net. She quickly passed the ball to sophomore Raylynn Castillo and her one-time shot was good with one second left to send the game to sudden death and give LBCC life.

After a scoreless first sudden death period, the Vikings finally ended the contest in the second sudden death thanks to the game-winning goal by sophomore Ashley Cordobes.

Long Beach will face SCC rival Cerritos for the California Community College Athletic Association championship at 12 p.m.

LBCC looks to capture its fourth state championship overall and first since 2006. Last year, the Vikings finished third. Coaches Chris Oeding and Dave Kasa have complied six straight final four showings at the state tournament and won championships in 2003, 2004, and 2006.

On the men's side, the Vikings beat American River 11-7 on Friday to qualify for the third-place game vs. Grossmont at 10:30 a.m. Sophomore Brandon Loveless led LBCC with three goals in the win. The Vikings led 6-1 at halftime and were never threatened.