SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team earned a pair of victories at their final home tournament of the 2012 season. The Otters came back to took a 8-6 WWPA conference win over Cal State East Bay after defeating Concordia Irvine 12-10.
CSUMB had their work cut out for them, hosting a pair of aggressive teams. The Otters came out prepared, outscoring or matching their opponents in 7 out of 8 quarters over the course of the afternoon.
The Otters where led by senior
Nikki Smart (Clovis/Buchanan HS) on the offensive side, finishing the afternoon with eight goals.
All three CSUMB goalies received playing time.
Amanda Jennings (Oakley/Freedom HS) led with a total of 18 saves.
Paige Robinson (San Jose/Lynbrook HS) added another eight, and
Katie Hart finished with four.
GAME 1:
The Otters posted an early lead, doubling the Eagles score in both the first and second quarter.
Concordia Irvine outscored the Otters in the final quarter of the match 3-2.
Both teams played highly physical with eleven overall ejections.
The Otters early lead gave them the momentum they needed to earn the morning victory.
CSUMB 4 – 2 – 4 – 2 = 12
CUI 2 – 1 – 4 – 3 = 10
CSUMB GOALS: Sowul 5, Smart 3, Vournas 2, Tyrrell 1, Walters 1
CSUMB SAVES: Robinson 8, Jennings 5, Hart 4
GAME 2:
CSUMB struck first scoring three minutes into the first quarter with a goal by
Alex Tyrrell (Wildomar/Elsinore HS). The first half went back and forth with a 2-2 score at the break
.
The Otters began to earn a lead after a goal by Christina Vournas(Agoura Hills/Agoura HS) with just two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Julie Cooper (Wildomar/Elsinore HS) came through with a couple big steals in the final eight minute to keep the Pioneers from having many offensive opportunities. CSUEB goalie Jayme Pekarske worked hard trying to keep East Bay in the game coming up with a few key stops.
The game was tied up for the third time with a 6-on-5 goal scored by the Pioneers to put the score at five all with just over three minutes remaining. The Otters came right back scoring back to back goals from a front court motion offense.
The Pioneers ran out of time to keep up with the Otters late offensive surge. CSUMB took the 8-6 win at home to even the record at 1-1 between the two teams this season. They will meet again at the Bronco Invitational at Santa Clara University on Saturday, Apr. 14.
CSUMB 1 – 1 – 3 – 3 = 8
CSUEB 1 – 1 – 1 – 3 = 6
CSUMB GOALS: Smart 5, Vournas 2, Tyrrell 1.
CSUMB SAVES: Jennings 13
The Otter water polo team returns to the Otter Tank for a pair of home conference games, hosting Cal State San Bernardino and Colorado State Friday, April 13 and will be honoring the 2012 senior class.
