SDSU BOX SCORE  |  UCSD BOX SCORE

SAN DIEGO — The weekend provided a tough two–step for the Cal State Monterey Bay water polo team, which dropped a pair of games in America's Finest City at San Diego State (12–2) and at No. 11 ranked UC San Diego (15–3).

The matches provided good measuring sticks for the Otters, who kept two strong opponents close—for awhile. But both the Aztecs and Tritons had too much firepower and both pulled away for double–digit wins.

CSUMB was still within 4–1 and 6–2 late into the third period at SDSU. After Olivia Woolery (San Diego/Clairemont HS) scored in front of her hometown crowd to pull the Otters to within 6–2, however, the Aztecs reeled off six unanswered goals to end the match.

A Morgan Tucker (San Diego/Clairemont HS) goal gave CSUMB a 1–0 lead early at UCSD before the Tritons used a 6–0 run of their own to take control. Tucker gave the Otters life by scoring on the power play to make it 6–2 late in the second, but three UCSD markers in the waning minutes before halftime put the Tritons in command at 9–2.

"We had a strong game against SDSU. Our field defense held strong through three quarters with a great performance by Shelby in the cage," said CSUMB Head Coach Emily Schmitt. "Offensively, we are still working on finding the back of the net."

Tucker's two goals led the Otter offensive in San Diego. The Otters also got goals from Lucy Gates (Oceanside HS/Palomar College) and Megan Dahlson (Yorba Linda/Esperanza HS). Marisa Lovos, Madison Nolen and Angela Steele provided helpers.

Shelby Stephens (Stockton/Lincoln HS) made 15 saves in 48 minutes, including 13 at San Diego State. Freshman Laurel Doyle (Tiburon/Redwood HS) made seven saves in 16 minutes of relief at UCSD.

CSUMB will take next weekend off before returning to the Otter Tank to host Cal State East Bay in a WWPA match Friday, Apr. 6.