LA JOLLA, Calif. - After opening Friday's match with a 3-0 lead, the No. 19 UC San Diego women's water polo team saw its lead diminish in the second half en route to a tough 8-6 loss against No. 15 Long Beach State. The Tritons drop to 7-11 overall while the 49ers improve to 6-7.
UCSD opened up the game with a quick goal from junior Jolene Guiliana in its first possession. The Tritons defense then highlighted the remainder of the first quarter. With 5:14 left in the period, Guiliana had a crucial field block to deny the 49ers.
Less than a minute later, Courtney Miller came through for UCSD with a huge stop. With Lani Tittle kicked out, Miller saved back-to-back shots to hold LBSU scoreless in the opening frame. Miller finished the day with nine saves.
The Tritons jumped on the 49ers in the second quarter to extend their lead to 3-0. Once again UCSD scored on its first possesion of the quarter, this time on a goal from Tittle. Lauren Boyer then scored her first of the night with 6:24 left in the half. But LBSU scored three of their own to notch things up at 3-3 headed into the half.
LBSU started the second half with two early goals, but UCSD tied it up on back-to-back goals. With 1:57 left in the third quarter, Miller sent a deep pass to Guiliana, who then lobbed a shot over Mariette Harris on the right side. Julia Kirkland then used a cross-cage skip shot to make it 5-5. Still, the 49ers scored in the final seconds to put them up 6-5.
In the final quarter, the Tritons couldn't pull ahead despite a goal from Tittle as they fell 8-6. UCSD will return to action on Sunday in Santa Barbara with a match against UCSB and CSU Bakersfield at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
UCSD 1 2 2 1 - 6
LBSU 0 3 3 2 - 8
Goals
UCSD: Lani Tittle 2, Jolene Guiliana 2, Julia Kirkland 1, Lauren Boyer 1
LBSU: Justine Morgan 2, Christina Kotsia 2, Jessica Brooks 1, Virginia Smith 1, Kayla Robert 1, Rachel Cretcher 1
Saves
UCSD: Courtney Miller 9
LBSU: Mariette Harris 7
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