Photo by: Devin Malast, @Devin.raquel_photo
Women’s Water Polo Holds Off UC Irvine To Advance Into Conference Finals
Senior Chelsea Oliver tied a career-high of 16 saves in the win.
By: Luiza Moraes - Athletic Communication Assistant
IRVINE, Calif. – A massive penalty shot save by senior Chelsea Oliver with 46 seconds left in the game held off UC Irvine's comeback in the last quarter as Long Beach State defeated the Eaters 12-11 to advance into conference finals for the second year in a row.
Long Beach State (17-10) got off to a quick start with senior Amanda Price netting the first of the day on an extra player advantage. Spaniards Elisa Portillo and Daniela Quinzada Gonzalez added back-to-back goals to extend the lead with 3:49 left on the first. Portillo added her second of the day on a buzzer beater as the Beach took the 4-0 lead. UC Irvine (15-13) got one past LBSU defense after a timeout. Junior Grace Cuozzo found the net but the 'Eaters closed the gap on a penalty shot as the Beach led 5-2 after the first eight minutes. Oliver secured Long Beach State defense with six important saves in the first quarter.
Senior Martina Cardona got one on the board to open the second quarter before UCI answered back. Freshman Rita Gurri Capel scored back-to-back goals to extend the lead, 8-3. The Anteaters responded on a counter, but sophomore Chiara Amoroso found the back of the net to make it a five-goal game with two minutes left in the first half. UC Irvine shorten the gap to make it 9-5 after two quarters.
The Anteaters started the second half strong shortening the gap, 9-7. Cardona and Price answered back but a late goal by UCI made it 11-8 for Long Beach State with one quarter left.
Price added a hat trick early on the fourth quarter but the 'Eaters pulled back with a 3-0 run to make it 12-11 with 1:28 left. Oliver came with a massive penalty stop save with 46 seconds left in the game to hold off the 'Eaters comeback and clinch a spot into the Big West Championship finals.
Long Beach State will face the top seed Hawai'i for a rematch from last year's conference final. First sprint is scheduled for Noon on ESPN+ and live stats provided through thefosh.net.
Long Beach State (17-10) got off to a quick start with senior Amanda Price netting the first of the day on an extra player advantage. Spaniards Elisa Portillo and Daniela Quinzada Gonzalez added back-to-back goals to extend the lead with 3:49 left on the first. Portillo added her second of the day on a buzzer beater as the Beach took the 4-0 lead. UC Irvine (15-13) got one past LBSU defense after a timeout. Junior Grace Cuozzo found the net but the 'Eaters closed the gap on a penalty shot as the Beach led 5-2 after the first eight minutes. Oliver secured Long Beach State defense with six important saves in the first quarter.
Senior Martina Cardona got one on the board to open the second quarter before UCI answered back. Freshman Rita Gurri Capel scored back-to-back goals to extend the lead, 8-3. The Anteaters responded on a counter, but sophomore Chiara Amoroso found the back of the net to make it a five-goal game with two minutes left in the first half. UC Irvine shorten the gap to make it 9-5 after two quarters.
The Anteaters started the second half strong shortening the gap, 9-7. Cardona and Price answered back but a late goal by UCI made it 11-8 for Long Beach State with one quarter left.
Price added a hat trick early on the fourth quarter but the 'Eaters pulled back with a 3-0 run to make it 12-11 with 1:28 left. Oliver came with a massive penalty stop save with 46 seconds left in the game to hold off the 'Eaters comeback and clinch a spot into the Big West Championship finals.
Long Beach State will face the top seed Hawai'i for a rematch from last year's conference final. First sprint is scheduled for Noon on ESPN+ and live stats provided through thefosh.net.
