2016 Preview: Women's Water Polo Adds Depth For New Season

Carrying a 15-player roster, head coach Terry Stoddard is excited about his 2016 Pasadena City College women's water polo team. Stoddard is the only coach the program has known as he begins his 18th season behind the bench. 

"We have an experienced and knowledgeable group in the pool," Stoddard said. "The freshmen are savvy players. We just need to learn to play together and watch as we jell as the season progresses."

The Lancers bring back three players from the 14-12 team of last season including All-South Coast Conference First Team goalie Clarque De Young, who made 205 saves and had the lowest goals against average in a season ever by a PCC netminder at 7.24. She is also the first PCC goalie to record as many as three shutouts in one season.

All-SCC honorable mention and utility player Irma Sarac (46 goals last year) and attacker Cassandra Silva also are back from the '15 team. Other sophomores are Erica Sanchez (from the 2014 Lancers) and transfer goalie Annie Manukyan (Rio Hondo College).

Right now, four PCC starters will be newcomers led by Zuri Pulido, a potential scoring talent from El Rancho High (Pico Rivera). Other key freshmen include utility player Christy Lam, an All-Rio Hondo League selection who played on a CIF Southern Section Division V finalist as a senior at Temple City High, and her prep teammate and center forward Jasmine Abriel. Frosh utility player Evangelica Child (Pasadena High) will also start.

Child, Pulido and returner Sarac are all solid on defense, according to Stoddard. 

Stoddard's bench is skilled with three freshmen players who will see a fair share of playing time in driver Elizabeth Romero (Pasadena HS), attacker Sophia Woods (Arcadia), and another Temple City product in utility player Ellie White. Kaitlin Mason (South Pasadena) is vying for goalie time with starter De Young.

Point Jasmine Campirano (Schurr High) and center forward Brenda Levya (Robert Kennedy HS) complete the 2016 Lancers.

PCC begins the '16 season on Saturday, Sept. 10 with two games at the Los Angeles Valley Tournament. The Lancers open with host LAVC (9 a.m.) before playing San Diego Miramar at 12 noon.

[Archive Photo--Coach Terry Stoddard directs the Lancers women's water polo team in 2016.]