SEASIDE, Calif.- The Cal State Monterey  Bay women's water polo team played a pair of tough games at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. Santa Clara University retaliated after the two teams last meeting earning a 10-5 victory over the Otters.
CSUMB felt the pressure through the remainder of the day with a 13-6 loss to Cal Baptist.

"We need to change how we are defending for tomorrow," says Head Coach Gary Figueroa. It's really about fine tuning, not an overhaul."

The Otter water polo team will return to the Otter Tank to host conference opponent No. 20 Cal State Bakersfield at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.


Game 1
Both teams came out firing early scoring one goal each in the first minute of play, but the focus would quickly shift to defense and the score would slow to finish the first quarter with the Otters leading 2-1.

Senior Katie Sowul (Anaheim/Esperanza HS) came out hot in the second quarter scoring two goals in the first three minutes, including a five-meter shot off of an ejection drawn by junior Jackie Walters (San Diego/LaJolla HS). Junior Julie Cooper (Wildomar/Elsinore HS) scored for the Otters at the mid way point of the second quarter to put CSUMB in a 5-3 lead at half.

The Broncos got their first lead of the game just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Otters remained scoreless for the entire second half as the Broncos added intensity to their already pressing front court defense.

Splitting time in the cage, Paige Robinson (San Jose/Lynbrook HS) finished the first half with four saves, freshman Amanda Jennings (Oakley/Freedom HS) tacked on two more for CSUMB.

CSUMB     2 – 3 – 0 – 0 =5
SCU            1 – 2 – 2 – 5 = 10

CSUMB Goals: Sowul 3, Cooper 1, Smart 1
CSUMB Saves: Robinson 4, Jennings 2
 
Game 2
The Otters saw early pressure from the Lancers and where unable to make a second half comeback.

Junior lefty Kylie Fields (San Jose/Foothill College) led CSUMB in goals for the afternoon with three respectively. Senior Nikki Smart (Clovis/Buchanan HS) reached the back of the net to add on another two for the Otters.

All three CSUMB goalies saw playing time. Jennings played the first half for the Otters. Second half action was split between  Robinson and junior Katie Hart (La Verne/Citrus College).

CSUMB     1 – 1 – 3 – 1 = 6
CBU       4 – 3 – 3 – 3 = 13

CSUMB Goals: Fields 3, Smart 2, Sowul
CSUMB Saves: Robinson 7, Jennings 3, Hart 2