Long Beach State University
UC Santa Barbara
Water Polo Defeats UCSB To Open Big West Play
3/10/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Long Beach, Calif. – Playing in front of its home crowd for the first time this season, No. 15 Long Beach State defeated No. 16 UC Santa Barbara 6-5 Saturday afternoon.
Despite inclement weather, Tori Morrissey led the way for LBSU (7-9, 1-0) scoring three goals to lead the Beach.
Early in the first quarter both teams took some time to get things going offensively and the visiting Gauchos (12-9, 0-1) took a 1-0 lead with 2:15 remaining in the first quarter.
Morrissey tied the game 45 seconds later with her first goal of the game at the 1:30 mark. The Guachos went ahead 2-1 after the first quarter thanks to a goal from Natalie Selin.
With 4:29 remaining in the second quarter, Mollie Simmons gave UCSB a 3-1 lead. From that point on LBSU locked in defensively and sophomore Eirini Patras was stellar in the cage collecting 11 saves to keep the Guachos at bay.
Thanks to stellar defensive play, the Beach went on a 2-0 run to tie the game at three heading into halftime. Morrissey's second goal and a power-play goal from Annabel Harman was the difference.
In the third quarter, Maria Eleni Mimidi gave the Beach its first lead of the game at the 3:05 mark to make it 4-3.
UCSB answered right back when Sarah Kreiser scored with 2:34 remaining in the quarter to tie the game.
Morrissey's third goal of the game gave the Beach a 5-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Raney Remme extended LBSU's lead to 6-4 when she scored with 7:03 remaining.
UCSB scored on goal with 4:22 left, but that was it as LBSU secured its first Big West and home win of the season.
The Beach will be back in action Sunday when they welcome George Washington for a non-conference contest. LBSU will also welcome back former players when the team competes in the Alumni Game after the conclusion of the game.
Box Score:
No. 15 Long Beach State – 1, 2, 2, 1 | 6
No. 16 UC Santa Barbara - 2, 1, 1, 1 | 5
Goals:
Long Beach State: Morrissey 3, Harman, Mimidi, Remme
