Luka Hits Career Milestone In Win Over Bucknell at Michigan Invite

Sunday, March 24

Ann Arbor, Mich.

9:30 a.m.

Long Beach State University

16-6

Bucknell

5-16

Bucknell

Long Beach State

Photo by: John Fajardo

Luka Hits Career Milestone In Win Over Bucknell at Michigan Invite

3/24/2024 1:01:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

The Beach beat Bucknell 14-7 to end the Michigan Invite a perfect 3-0 on the weekend.

By: Nicole Hoff, Athletic Communications Assistant

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 8 Long Beach State women's water polo team took down Bucknell to finish the Michigan Invite undefeated at 3-0. Lara Luka led the offense this weekend with 10 goals, bringing her career total to 100 goals with the Beach.

Mariah Walker came out firing to get the Beach on the board early to start the first period. Bucknell scored a late goal to tie it up, but Martina Cardona found the cage on a last second goal to take a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period.

Bucknell responded and found the cage to start the second period to tie the score. A goal from Rachael Kowalchick extended the Beach lead to one, but Bucknell answered with two straight goals. Cardona comes up big with another last second shot to head into halftime tied at 4-4.

Lara Luka's strong tournament performance carried over as she scored back-to-back goals to start the third period. The Beach offense starts to get hot as they score six more goals and hold Bucknell to a scoreless quarter to take a 12-4 lead headed into the fourth period.

Chiara Amoroso finds the net for her first goal of the game to start the final quarter. Bucknell responded with three more goals to close the gap, but Luka's fourth goal of the game would secure the Beach win 14-7.

Luka's fourth goal was her 100th career goal with the Beach. She becomes the 23rd player to reach this milestone at the Beach after teammate Rachael Kowalchick hit the milestone last week.

The Beach will return home for a midweek matchup against Brown Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. The contest will be broadcasted on ESPN+ or Beach fans can follow live stats at thefosh.net.