LA JOLLA, Calif. - The No. 18 ranked CSUB water polo team picked up an opening round win over Long Beach State, 10–5, but fell to No. 8 San Diego State, 12–3, in the second round of the UC San Diego Triton Invitational Saturday. With the opening win in the two–day 16–team advancement tournament, CSUB (4–5 overall) has guaranteed itself at least an eight place finish.
CSUB watched a 3-2 halftime advantage over the 49ers disappear in the third quarter as Long Beach tied the game 5–5 midway through. A crucial five–meter penalty was called on the Roadrunners with 1:51 left in the third. But instead of falling behind, freshman goalie Megan Pezzolla stepped up and blocked the shot attempt. On the ensuing possession, the Roadrunners would score a 6-on-5 goal, taking the lead for good, 6–5. The win marked the second win in as many tries over Long Beach State this season. Seniors Alyson Moss and Becky Seelos each tallied a pair of goals. Tallying single goals for the Roadrunners were seniors Jessica Manke and C.J. Longeuay, sophomores Malia Pahoa and Kaitlin Torres, and freshmen Sam Shead and Jessica Browning. In goal, Pezzolla had 10 blocks including the game–changing five–meter denial. Moss added four steals and three assists. Longeuay had five steals and Pahoa and Seelos each drew two ejections. Browning drew a five–meter.
“I think we are starting to find our identity as a team,” said Head Coach Jason Gall. “There was a different feel with this game then when we played them last week. With the score so close, it was great for us to pull away and get some separation while keeping our intensity up. It is very tough to beat a good team two times in a row. I thought we showed good discipline and decision making.”
In the second round against the Aztecs, CSUB was unable to match SDSU's offensive output, falling 12–3. Seelos had two goals and Pahoa added one as CSUB fell to the No. 8 ranked Aztecs. CSUB led early in the second, 3–2, and were only down 4–3 at the break. But eight second–half goals by SDSU was too much to overcome. Pahoa drew a pair of ejections including a five–meter penalty shot. Browning had three ejections drawn. In goal, Pezzolla had 16 blocks.
“We were right with them in the first half,” said Gall. “I was really pleased with our effort against a very good team. I though we may have run out of gas in the second half but I am encouraged with the way our team is starting to come together.”
In the second day of the invitational, CSUB opens with an 8:30 a.m. contest against Cal State Northridge which is currently ranked No. 12 in the nation.
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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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Long Beach State
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2
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0
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3
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0 |
5
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No. 18 CSU Bakersfield
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3
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0
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4
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3
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10
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Goals:
CSUB - Jessica Manke (1), Alyson Moss (2), Malia Pahoa (1), Becky Seelos (2), C.J. Longeuay (1), Sam Shead (1), Kaitlin Torres (1), Jessica Browning (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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No. 18 CSU Bakersfield
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0
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3
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0
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0 |
3
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No. 8 San Diego State
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1
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3
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4
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4
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12
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Goals:
CSUB - Malia Pahoa (1), Becky Seelos (2).
