SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team rounded out the weekend back at the Otter Tank with a nail biter against No. 20 Cal State Bakersfield, ultimately dropping the match 15-13 to the Roadrunners.

The two teams started quick opening the first quarter exchanging one goal apiece just minutes into the start of the game. Cal State Bakersfield earned the go-ahead to take a 3-2 lead into the second quarter.

The Otters entered the second half with a goal off their first possession by junior Christina Vournas (Agoura Hills/Agoura HS) to tie the game for the first time at 3-3.

Cal State Bakersfield took a 8-5 lead into half. It looked like CSUMB struggled to get passed the two goal differential despite their continuous motion in front court offense.

Their motion paid off in the second half, outscoring the Roadrunners by one goal in the third. The teams matched each other with four goals each in the fourth quarter. CSUMB chipped away at the Roadrunners lead, scoring four of their goals in the first half of the final eight minutes.

The Otters tied the game at 13 with just two minutes remaining in the game. CSUMB had a couple opportunities to take the lead but just missed by hitting the cross bar.

All six starters chipped in, spreading out the pressure on offense. Senior Nikki Smart (Clovis/Buchanan HS) scored one goal in each quarter finishing with a team high four goals. Christina Vournas added another three of her own to the team total.
 
CSUMB     2 – 3 – 4 – 4 = 13
CSUB         3 – 5 – 3 – 4 = 15

CSUMB Goals: Smart 4, Vournas 3, Walters 2, Tyrrell 2, Sowul 1, Cooper 1

The Otter water polo team takes their first trip to southern California this season stopping in San Bernardino Friday, March 2 before playing in the Cal Lutheran Spring Invitational on Saturday.