Kowalchick Reaches Career Milestone In Win Over Cal State Fullerton

Saturday, March 16

Long Beach, Calif.

Noon

Long Beach State University

13-6, 2-0

Cal State Fullerton

9-12, 0-1

Cal State Fullerton

Long Beach State

Photo by: Stephanie Hang, @TheStephHang

Kowalchick Reaches Career Milestone In Win Over Cal State Fullerton

3/16/2024 2:44:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

Rachael Kowalchick became the 22nd 100-goal scorer in program history on Saturday.

By: Nicole Hoff, Athletic Communications Assistant

LONG BEACH, Calif.- No. 7 Long Beach State continued Big West play as they took down Cal State Fullerton on Saturday 12-4. Rachael Kowalchick was the leading scorer in the win as she added three goals, making her the 22nd 100-goal scorer in program history.

Long Beach State (13-6, 2-0 Big West) came out firing from the start and scored two early goals from Mariah Walker and Elisa Portillo. Lara Luka found the back of the cage to give the Beach a 3-0 lead. Cal State Fullerton (10-11, 0-1 Big West) would respond with their only goal of the quarter before Rachael Kowalchick responded with her first goal of the game to give the Beach a 4-1 lead after the first period.

The Beach offense continued to dominate as they started the second quarter off with three straight goals. Amanda Price started it off with an early goal with one man up as Luka and Kathryn McCullough each found the back of the cage. Cal State Fullerton would add two goals of their own as the Beach took a 7-3 lead headed into halftime.

Both teams exchanged shots to start the second half, before Portillo found the back of the cage for her second goal of the game. Kowalchick followed up with her second goal of the game and her 100th career goal to give the Beach a six point lead. The Titans responded with one goal after a penalty on the Beach. The Beach ended the third quarter with a 9-4 lead.

The Beach defense stepped up as they held the Titans to a scoreless final quarter. Price and Kowalchick each added a goal as Walker would secure the Beach win 12-4 after a five meter penalty goal.

Defensively for the Beach, Chelsea Oliver continued her strong play and came up big with nine saves. Kowalchick and McCullough led the Beach in steals with three each.

Rachael Kowalchick's three goals brought her career total to 101, as she became the 22nd scorer in program history to hit the milestone. She joined teammate Anne de Kleer to reach the milestone within the last year.

Long Beach State will head to Michigan to compete in the Michigan Invite next week. The Beach will open up the tournament on Saturday, March 23 as they take on Saint Francis at 9:30 a.m PT. They will finish Saturday with a game against host No. 8 Michigan at 2 p.m PT. before wrapping up the tournament on Sunday with a game against Bucknell at 9:30 a.m PT.