SEASIDE, Calif.- The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo program opened the 2012 season with a single game at home Thursday afternoon. The Otters drop a 10-9 final decision to No. 17 UC Santa Barbara.
 
After winning the first sprint, the Otters had two quick opportunities before senior Nikki Smart put the first point on the board off a fast break 45 seconds into the game to put CSUMB in the lead, 1-0.  The teams would go back and forth for the remainder of the first period, ended at 2 points apiece.
 
The Otters would make a 4-1 run in the second quarter to take a 6-3 lead into the half. No one would score until the Otters received a 5-meter call against the Guachos Molly Hafferkamp. Smart and junior Alex Tyrrell would net a goal a piece by the five minute mark to take the lead to 5-3. Smart added her third goal of the match in the final minute of the first half.
 
The Guachos would come back strong outscoring the Otters 6-1 in the third quarter to take comtrol of the lead. Juniors Nancy Ruano and Kacey Creek would earn hat tricks for UC Santa Barbara.
 
CSUMB defense picked up the pace in the final quarter to keep UCSB to its lowest scoring quarter, but it wasn't enough to get the lead. The Otters would fall to No. 17 UC Santa Barbara 10-9 after a late 6-on-5 opportunity to potentially tie it up.
 
The Otter water polo team heads to Fresno Pacific to participate in the Sunbirds Mini Tournament on Sat. Januray 21 featuring games against Azusa Pacific (12:30 p.m) and Fresno Pacific (3:00 p.m.)


CSUMB    2 - 4 - 1 - 2= 9
UCSB       2 - 1 - 6 - 1= 10

CSUMB GOALS: Nikki Smart 5, Katie Sowul 1, Alex Tyrrell 1, Christina Vournas 1, Kylie Fields 1
UCSB GOALS: Nancy Ruano 4, Kacey Creek 4, Claryann Ologsson-Loo 1, Shelby Haroldson 1

CSUMB SAVES: Paige Robinson 6, Amanda Jennings 6
UCSB SAVES: Ruth Milne 5