Prep Girls Water Polo: Broncos capture first section title since 2003

Still sore with a rib injury, Rancho Bernardo senior Ana Walker was hardly feeling any pain after helping the Broncos mount a five-goal rally for a comeback overtime victory Saturday night in San Diego Section Division I girls water polo final.

Fifth-seeded Rancho Bernardo tied Granite Hills over the final minutes of regulation play with two goals each by Walker and Taylor Brown at La Jolla High’s Coggan Pool.

Then the Broncos prevailed 9-8 on the only OT goal, a buzzer-beater by Hayley Parkinson to close the first of the two required extra periods.

“Wanting to win was our biggest motivation, definitely,” said Walker, who finished with three goals to share the team high with Brown. “We all wanted to be a team and go like, ‘Yes, we’ve got this!’ ”

Walker, who was sidelined three weeks after her midseason rib injury, was held out of the starting lineup in the semifinals as a precaution by coach Fred Gleason with hopes of being ready for the final.

Rancho Bernardo (18-14) pulled even 8-8 when Walker converted a power-play goal with 2:03 left in the fourth quarter. On the last possession of regulation play, Carley Drinco had a steal for No. 3 Granite Hills (16-15) to force overtime.

The Broncos, who were ousted in the semifinals the previous two seasons, persevered to claim their first title since they won the 2003 crown behind future international standout Tanya Gandy.

“We start slow a lot of time,” Parkinson said. “Then in the fourth quarter, we just kick in and the fight comes out.”

The Eagles fell despite 19 saves by Mia Harris. Riley Jo Agerbeek and Jo Meyer each had three goals to spearhead their attack.

Granite Hills, which held a 6-3 halftime lead, was denied in the finals for the second straight year.