Long Beach State University
UC Santa Barbara
Women’s Water Polo Opens Big West Play Hosting No. 16 UC Santa Barbara
2/28/2025 9:30:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
The Beach will face the Gauchos for the first time in the season.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – After a big overtime win over No. 9 UC Irvine at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, No. 6 Long Beach State returns to the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center to face No. 16 UC Santa Barbara opening conference play.
The Beach (7-8) split their four games at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, going 2-2 and finishing in seventh place. Junior Elisa Portillo had a career-high of seven goals against the Anteaters to lead the Beach to an incredible win. It was the first time since 2011 that the Beach defeated UCI in a regular season game. Spanish quartet of Portillo, Martina Cardona, Rita Gurri Capel and Daniela Quinzada Gonzalez scored 13 of 14 goals to help LBSU secure the win.
Besides the Spaniards, senior Jamie Oberman had a great weekend scoring six goals while also adding six assists. In cage, senior Chelsea Oliver near 100 saves in the season to reach third in program history in career saves behind Eirini Patra (599) with 595 saves.
The Gauchos (11-7) also split at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, dropping their first two games against Cal and Indiana before defeating Biola and Cal State Fullerton. UCSB is led by senior Annie Kuester and freshman Bella Mady with 35 and 30 goals, respectively. Senior Juju Amaral leads the team in assists with 36 in the year. Before facing the Beach, the Gauchos will face Claremont Mudd-Scripps and Azusa Pacific for the Claremont Convergence on Friday.
First sprint for the game against the Gauchos is scheduled for Noon at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center. Live stats can be followed at thefosh.net.
