HAYWARD, Calif. — A pair of eights wasn't enough for the Cal State Monterey Bay water polo team as it ended its marathon 16–match roadtrip with two losses at the Cal State East Bay Mini Tournament Saturday at Pioneer Pool. The Otters fell to host East Bay 13–8 in their morning match before a strong Azusa Pacific side took an 18–8 decision in the afternoon.

Led by hat tricks from Angela Steele (Agoura HS) and freshman Nicole Lyckfors (Alameda HS), the Otters went toe–to–toe with East Bay and trailed just 8–6 after a Lyckfors score midway through the third period. But the Pioneers scored five of the six goals to pull away for the win.

Azusa Pacific blitzed the Otters in the first half, racing to a 12–1 lead by intermission. The Otters out–scored the Cougars 7–6 in the second half, but by then the damage had been done.

Steele and Marisa Lovos (Tualatin [Ore.] HS) led the Otter offense with four goals apiece in Saturday's twinbill. Lyckfors added three assists in the APU game to her opening–game hat trick. Hayden Barron (Long Beach Wilson HS) also collected three helpers against APU.

Shelby Stephens (Stockton/Lincoln HS) went the distance in the cage and made 14 total saves Saturday, including nine the match versus APU.

CSUMB finally returns to the Otter Tank to host Sonoma State in a WWPA match Saturday (Mar. 17) at noon. The Otters will host their annual alumni match later that same afternoon.