SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The No. 17 ranked CSUB water polo team opened the season with a two–game split at the UC Santa Barbara Mini Tournament on Saturday. The Roadrunners fell to host No. 15 UC Santa Barbara, 5–3, before beating Pomona–Pitzer, 9–8. Pomona Pitzer opened the season ranked No. 1 in the CWPA's Division III poll.
Senior Alyson Moss scored twice and sophomore Kaitlin Torres had one goal in the opening game against the Gauchos. Sophomore Megan Wetherbee played the first and third quarters, tallying four blocks. Freshman Megan Pezzolla had five blocks while playing the second and fourth quarters. Freshman Jessica Browning had an assist and drew two ejections in her first collegiate game. Senior defender C.J. Longeuay had two field blocks for the Roadrunners. CSUB fell down 3–1 after the first quarter but played even with the Gauchos in the game's final 24 minutes.
“I thought we got some very good play from our freshmen today,” Head Coach Jason Gall said. “I was really encouraged by our fourth quarter shutout. We missed some high percentage opportunities where we had good looks but the ball just didn't go in. After the first quarter, we played a very good team to a 2–2 tie.”
In the second game against Pomona–Pitzer, Torres took control, scoring four goals to lead the 'Runners. After falling behind 2–1 after the first quarter, CSUB rallied to score four times in the second and added three more in the fourth. Browning had two goals and freshman teammate Amanda Nesbit added her first collegiate tally. Senior Becky Seelos and sophomore Malia Pahoa each had one goal. Browning also drew three ejections and freshman Sam Shead had two steals and drew an ejection. While she didn't score on the game, Moss had four steals, three assists and drew an ejection. Longeuay had two steals.
In goal, Wetherbee had six blocks while playing the first and third quarters. Pezzolla had three blocks in the second and fourth quarters.
“The second game was a little closer that I thought it would be,” said Gall. “Overall, I though we did very well for our first games of the season.”
CSUB will take to the road next weekend to participate in a couple of tournaments. On Friday, Jan. 29, the Roadrunners will visit Riverside, Calif., for the Cal Baptist tournament. A match against WWPA–member Cal State San Bernardino is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. followed by a game against host Cal Baptist at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday at the UC Irvine Mini, the 'Runners will take on Arizona State (9 a.m.), UC Irvine (12:30 p.m.) and Long Beach State (4:30 p.m.).
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Final
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No. 15 UC Santa Barbara
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3
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1
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1
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0 |
5
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No. 17 CSU Bakersfield
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1
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0
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1
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1
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3
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Goals:
CSUB - Alyson Moss (2), Kaitlin Torres (1).
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Final
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Pomona–Pitzer
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2
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2
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2
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2 |
8
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No. 17 CSU Bakersfield
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1
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4
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1
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3
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9
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Goals:
CSUB - Malia Pahoa (1), Becky Seelos (1), Amanda Nesbit (1), Kaitlin Torres (4), Jessica Browning (1).
