LONG BEACH, CALIF. — After a week of rest, the No. 16 ranked UCSB women's water polo team looked to build off of two consecutive wins against No. 15 Long Beach State at Lindgren Aquatics Center on Saturday afternoon. After getting off to a strong start, the Gauchos had trouble closing the match, as they allowed Long Beach to come back and pick up a 6-5 win.
The two teams were extremely well matched, and held each other scoreless for almost the entire first period. Kate Pipkin was the first to score for either side, as the star junior fired a goal to put the Gauchos up 1-0 with 2:15 remaining in the quarter. Long Beach quickly responded with a goal of their own to tie it up at one apiece. With just over thirty seconds remaining in the period, sophomore Natalie Selin continued her good stretch of play with a goal of her own to put the Gauchos back on top at 2-1 entering the second period.
Similar to the first period, both teams came out slow in the second. About halfway through the quarter, freshman Mollie Simmons scored, pushing the UCSB advantage to 3-1. With the Gauchos holding the momentum in the match, they had a chance to put the 49ers away for good, but the same issues that plagued the Gauchos earlier this season started to reappear. Long Beach was able to score two quick goals, tying the game at three apiece, and shifting the momentum before halftime.
The third period has given the Gauchos trouble for the entire season, and the problem showed up again on Saturday. Long Beach carried its momentum over from the first half of play, and took their first lead of the day with 3:05 remaining. Junior captain Sarah Kreiser acted fast for UCSB, scoring soon after to keep the game tied up. But Long Beach had found their rhythm, and another 49er goal gave them the lead at 5-4 entering the final period of play.
Long Beach State kept rolling, and scored less than a minute into the fourth to increase their lead to two. Midway through the quarter, the 49ers received a penalty for misconduct, which resulted in Pipkin's second goal of the game off a converted penalty shot. That cut their deficit in half, as UCSB trailed 6-5 with 4:22 remaining in the match. The Gauchos fought hard, and held LBSU scoreless for the remainder of the match, but failed to capitalize on several opportunities. The final buzzer sounded, Long Beach State picking up the win 6-5.
Pipkin led the team in scoring with two goals, while Kreiser, Simmons, and Selin all chipped in one in the loss. Goalie Kenzi Snyder anchored a strong Gaucho defense, recording seven saves and one steal.
The Gauchos are in action again on Tuesday, March 27 at home against the Virginia Military Institute at 12:00 p.m.
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Final |
| UCSB |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
| LBSU |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
UCSB Goals: Pipkin 2, Kreiser 1, Simmons 1, Selin 1
UCSB Saves: Snyder 7
LBSU Goals: Morrissey 3, Mimidi 1, Harman 1, Remme 1
LBSU Saves: Patras 11
