Long Beach State University Athletics
No. 16 Long Beach State Is Unable To Mount Comeback Against No. 5 UC Irvine
3/21/2021 2:24:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
Elena Kotanchyan scores five goals to lead the Beach.
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Wrapping up its home-and-home Black and Blue rivalry series against No. 5 UC Irvine, No. 16 Long Beach State wasn't able to complete its comeback Sunday afternoon falling to the Anteaters, 12-7 at Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.
Elena Kotanchyan helped the Beach (0-2, 0-2) jump out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first quarter scoring twice with one coming on a penalty shot.
UC Irvine (9-3, 2-0) cut the Beach's first quarter lead to 3-2 thanks to goals from Mica Schiavone and Ariana Bockstahler.
In the second quarter it was all Anteaters, as UCI went on a 7-0 run to take a 9-3 lead at halftime.
The Anteaters extended their run to 9-0 as they took an 11-3 lead after the third period. Calysa Toledo led the way for UCI with three goals.
In the final period, Kotanchyan scored on a penalty shot to cut the lead to 11-4. She then scored another goal to 11-5 with 4:32 left in the game. Kotanchyan finished the game with a game-high five goals.
Goal by Elena Kotanchyan! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/nwWxEXDKrf
— LBSU Water Polo (@LBSUWaterPolo) March 21, 2021
Freshman Mariah Walker scored her first career goal after muscling her way to find the back of the case as the Beach went on a 4-0 run to start the fourth period.
Too Strong! Mariah Walker with the finish! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/B5l7XiQFB3
— LBSU Water Polo (@LBSUWaterPolo) March 21, 2021
Kotanchyan capped off the run with another goal and UCI's Toledo answered to score the final goal of the game.
Kotanchyan, AGAIN!! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/yegxMOorQ5
— LBSU Water Polo (@LBSUWaterPolo) March 21, 2021
The Beach will be back in action when they travel to UC Davis next weekend.
