No. 8 Long Beach State Women’s Water Polo Goes 2-0 After Day 1 Of Michigan Invite

Saturday, March 23

Ann Arbor, Mich.

9:30 a.m.

Long Beach State University

14-6

Saint Francis (Pa.)

4-21

Long Beach State

St. Francis (PA)

No. 8 Long Beach State Women’s Water Polo Goes 2-0 After Day 1 Of Michigan Invite

3/23/2024 7:32:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Beach picked up two wins over Saint Francis and No. 9 Michigan to open the tournament.

By: Nicole Hoff, Athletic Communications Assistant

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 8 Long Beach State extends winning streak to six after going 2-0 on day one of the Michigan Invite. The Beach picked up two wins over Saint Francis and host No. 9 Michigan. Lara Luka led the offense with six goals and six assists for the day.

In the first contest of the day, both teams started the first period exchanging shots, but Saint Francis scored the first goal of the game five minutes into the period. The Beach responded with a goal from Rachael Kowalchick and two from Lara Luka. A goal from Saint Francis and a Martina Cardona goal gave the Beach a 4-2 lead to end the first.

The Beach dominated the second period and scored nine goals from seven different players. Saint Francis would put up two goals as the Beach headed into halftime up 13-4.

Chiara Amoroso continued where the Beach took off, scoring her third goal of the game to start the third period. Cardona found the back of the cage for her third goal and Hailey Multz scored back-to-back goals to increase the Beach lead to 17-6 heading into the final quarter.

Emma Seehafer scored her second goal of the game to start the final period. three more goals would secure the Beach win 22-6. The Beach defense would hold Saint Francis to a scoreless final quarter.

In their second match of the day, Long Beach State took down host No. 8 Michigan 12-9. The contest started with two early Beach goals from Anne de Kleer. Michigan found their first goal, but Grace Cuozzo added one of her own to end the first period up 3-1.

Luka and Kowalchick found the back of the cage to start the second period, but the Wolverines added three more to close the gap. Elisa Portillo scored her first goal of the game at the last second to take a 6-4 lead headed into halftime.

Luka came out firing to start the second half and found her second goal of the game. Mariah Walker added a goal with one man up but Michigan added two more of their own. The Beach added three more goals to take a 12-8 lead heading into the final period.

The Beach defense kicked it up a notch to hold the Wolverines to one fourth quarter goal and take the top 10 win 12-9.

Defensive, goalies Chelsea Oliver and Charlotte Echlin led the way. Oliver had 12 saves on the day while Echlin had a season-high of five against Saint Francis.

The Beach will continue play in the Michigan Invite Sunday, March 24 against Bucknell at 9:15 a.m. PT. Beach fans can follow live stats at thefosh.net.