No. 7 Women’s Water Polo Dominant Against Cal State Fullerton

Friday, March 10

Fullerton, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

11-4

Cal State Fullerton

9-10

Long Beach State

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: Nico Alba

No. 7 Women’s Water Polo Dominant Against Cal State Fullerton

3/10/2023 7:40:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

The Beach improve to 2-0 in Big West play.

By: Bryan Alamillo, Athletics Communications Assistant

FULLERTON, Calif.— Long Beach State's first ever visit to Cal State Fullerton was a success as they came away with a 15-1 win. Seven different players scored for the Beach, including impressive performances from Katie Dill, Rachael Kowalchick, and Elisa Portillo who scored three goals each.

Long Beach State set the tone from the opening whistle as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one quarter of play. Leading goal scorer Rachael Kowalchick got the Beach going with an early goal, and Elisa Portillo followed with a hat-trick in two minutes of play. Freshman Hailey Multz also scored her first of two goals to wrap up the first quarter.

The Beach managed three more goals in the second quarter while keeping Cal State Fullerton scoreless. Martina Cardona, Katie Dill, and Ellie Mix each found the back of the cage to give Long Beach State an 8-0 lead at halftime.

The third quarter was all Long Beach State as they once again stifled Cal State Fullerton and scored five more goals. Ellie Mix, Rachael Kowalchick, and Hailey Multz each scored their second goals of the game, and Katie Dill scored two more to complete her hat-trick.

The Beach looked to complete the shutout in the fourth quarter, as Kowalchick would score her third goal of the game and Emma Seehafer would add another goal. However, Cal State Fullerton would score a late goal to put them on the board.

Inbar Geva and Ema Nathan led the defensive effort for the Beach as they split duties in goal. Geva would finish the game with five saves and Nathan with seven. Jamie Oberman led the way with two steals as the Beach would come away with eight total. Ball movement was also key for Long Beach State as Becca Hale recorded three assists and Grace Cuozzo, Sierra May and Oberman each had one.

The win sees Long Beach State's record improve to 12-4 on the season, and 2-0 in Big West play. Their next game will be on Tuesday, March 14 against No. 13 Princeton at 7 p.m.