SEASIDE, Calif. — Senior Lucy Gates (Oceanside/Palomar College) was spectacular in her final home collegiate game, but her efforts weren't quite enough to lift the Otters over visiting Fresno Pacific in an 8–7 loss Saturday afternoon in the Otter Tank.

Gates was a demon at both ends of the pool. She scored a career–high four goals on offense and picked off a career–high six steals on defense. For good measure, she won her only sprint to open the third period.

Gates scored CSUMB's first goal to tie the match at 1–1 early in the first period then gave the Otters their first lead at 3–2 early in the second. She saved her biggest score for last when Nicole Lyckfors (Alameda HS) read Gates' perfectly timed drive and fed her for a point–blank tally that tied the score 7–7 with less than five minutes remaining.

But the Sunbirds spoiled the party when Hannah Holly broke the tie with 84 seconds on the clock. The Otters had two final opportunities to score but had one shot hit the cross bar and another saved before FPU killed the final 30 seconds to hold on.

"That was a great game and also a tough loss for us," said CSUMB Head Coach Emily Schmit. "We put together four solid quarters of play. Our defense was there as was our offense. Unfortunately, the ball didn't bounce our way on several shots. I would be remiss to not mention the incredible performance of Lucy Gates who led both our offense and our defense Saturday."

In addition to Gates, the Otters got two goals from Lyckfors and one from Sarah Smith (Cypress HS). Shelby Stephens (Stockton/Lincoln HS) made six saves.

The Otters drew eight exclusions from FPU bent went 0–for–8 on the power play.

Next up for CSUMB is the Western Water Polo Association Championship Tournament Apr. 27–29 in La Jolla. Pairings will be announced when available on OtterAthletics.com.