Snyder scores 8, Panthers rout Marauders

Saturday’s tuneup between Porterville and Monache girls’ water polo was supposed to be a sneak peek — a preview of Monday night’s first EYL match between the rivals.

In a closely-fought game, the Panthers outlasted the Marauders, 9-6, that day, but Monday was another story entirely.

Panthers’ hole set Coriann Snyder scored a game-high eight goals — including five in the fourth quarter — to rout their nemesis, 16-3, for a victory that Porterville coach Richard Taylor called their most impressive of the season.

“This was a little exceptional — I didn’t expect to hold (Monache) to three goals,” Taylor said. “Our girls played one of their best games all year.”

Kyla Hill, who tied with Matlyn Morris for the team’s second-most at three goals apiece, tried to explain the difference of play over the two-day period.

“On Saturday, it was a tough fight and both teams missed shots they should’ve made,” she said. “Tonight, we hit everything. We were on.”

Monache’s Amanda Kaye scored from long range just before the end of the first quarter to keep within 3-1 of Porterville after Snyder was held to one goal in the opening period.

“I thought Ally (Bernard) did a good job on (Snyder) one-on-one,” Monache coach Ryan Atchley said. “Coriann does so much for that team. She had eight goals and probably created the other eight.”

Snyder put on a clinic, scoring in just about every possible way: off penalty shots, tip-ins, from long range and, of course, her usual spot in the two-meter hole.

“She’s long, she’s strong and she’s experienced,” Atchley said. “Her shot’s phenomenal. Easily one of the best in the Valley.”

Despite the apparent one-player domination, Taylor was pleased with the supporting cast more than anything.

“Some of the other girls really stepped up; they’re making things happen,” he said. “Jenna Morris played an outstanding defensive game. Marnie (four steals) was our little thief. And Matlyn really contributed offensively.”

Hill scored a couple of her goals off a lob shot that’s becoming her patented go-to move.

“That’s my favorite,” Hill said. “You just get (the goalie) to come out one side (of the net) and lob it over the other way. We’ve really been working on that.”

After Hill scored on a lob from the right side about seven meters out, Jenna Morris mimicked her with a similar shot on the left for her lone goal. Ditto for Linna Lasure, whose arcing shot put the Panthers up 6-1.

Bernard fired a shot into the net late in the second period to make it 6-2, but by the time Mary Crocker scored Monache’s third goal in the fourth, the rout was on. Atchley attributed much of it to the play of Panther goalie Raven Kapphahn.

“Raven played great,” he said. “With her arm, they’re gone on the counter. It felt like the whole night we were a step behind.”

Porterville improved to 17-1 (5-0 EYL) while the Marauders dropped to 11-5 (5-1 EYL).