LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team battled the Tritons of UC San Diego from opening sprint, to final seconds, ultimately falling in a 10-9 decision to the Tritons, sending the Otters to play for the possibility to take third place in the conference championship tournament.
 
The Otters opened the game striking first, with a goal out of two-meters from Jackie Walters (San Diego/La Jolla HS). CSUMB's offense stuck the Tritons often, taking a 4-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.
 
By half, senior Nikki Smart (Clovis/Buchanan HS) had scored three goals individually, and by the end of the game she would account for seven of the Otters final nine goals of the game.
 
The teams entered the second half of play tied up, the teams matched each other, going back and forth goal for goal.
 
The Otters earned an early power play to enter the fourth quarter, scoring a blind shot out of the post to tie it up with just six minutes remaining. UCSD gained their largest lead of the game as they took it to the two minute warming, but the Otters fought back to make it interesting with a couple opportunities to take it to over time. With just 18 seconds remaining, the Otters had one last chance, but where unable to take the game to extra time and UCSD took the match, earning the opportunity to play for the conference championship title on Sunday.
 
The Otter water polo team looks to earn their highest finish in conference play, in a battle of the bays to take home 3^rd place. The game is set for Sunday, Apr. 29 at 1:30 p.m. If you can't make the game, follow live updates via Twitter @otterathletics.