No. 19 CSUN Falls in OT at Long Beach State

Saturday, March 31

Long Beach, CA

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

#14 Long Beach State

Photo by: Samuel Ware

No. 19 CSUN Falls in OT at Long Beach State

3/31/2018 5:55:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

LONG BEACH, Calif.---No. 19 CSUN Water Polo (15-13, 0-2 BWC) battled into overtime for the second time over the last three matches but the Matadors would fall 10-8 at No. 14 Long Beach State in a Big West Conference game on Saturday afternoon. Seniors Katelyn Fairchild, Madeleine Sanchez, Shannon Hovanesian and Amy Yule all hit the net as Fairchild led the way with three goals. Fellow senior Niki Van Vugt racked up 14 saves in front of the cage.

Sanchez moved closer to breaking the Matadors' career scoring record with two tallies on Saturday. She now has 220 career goals, which are two short of tying CSUN's all-time scoring leader Allison Brookes (2005-08).

Fairchild opened up the scoring in the first period with a tally at the 4:19 mark. Virginia Smith evened the match a little over a minute later before Sanchez gave CSUN a 2-1 lead on an even strength possession. Both goalies would make saves in the final two minutes as the Matadors led after one period.

Annabel Harman scored twice in the second period to give the 49ers their first lead at the halfway mark of the second period. Long Beach State later went in front 4-2 on a goal from Marilia Eleni Mimidi but Hovanesian responded just 19 seconds later. Sanchez squared the match at 4-4 in the final minute of the half.

Yule cashed in on a power play to give the Matadors a 5-4 lead in the opening minute of the third period. The Matador defense held firm until the midway mark of the period where Smith tied the game once more. CSUN moved back in front after goals from Fairchild and Hovanesian before Smith found the net yet again with 14 seconds on the clock.

Long Beach State tied the match for fifth time as Alexandra Massier scored on a power play with 6:58 left to play. Both teams would have looks at the net down the stretch but neither side could break through. The Matadors withstood a power play near the two-minute mark including a shot from Massier that hit the post. Sanchez took the last shot of the fourth period but her shot went off the mark.

Tori Morrissey gave the 49ers an 8-7 lead with 2:29 left in the first overtime period. Smith later added to the lead on a power play while the Matadors went scoreless in the three-minute session. Fairchild finally put the Matadors on the scoreboard in extra time with 1:39 left in the second overtime but CSUN could not close the gap down the stretch. Massier hit a last second goal to ice the game for the 49ers.

Sanchez picked up three steals to go with an assist and field block while Hovanesian added two assists. With today's outcome, the Matadors are 2-2 in overtime matches this season.

CSUN continues Big West play next Saturday, April 7 as the Matadors visit UC Santa Barbara in their final road match of the regular season. Game time is slated for noon.

CSUN - 2-2-3-0-0-1 = 8
LBSU - 1-3-2-1-2-1 = 10

CSUN goal scorers: Farichild 3 (42), Sanchez 2 (45), Hovanesian 2 (27), Yule (14)
LBSU goal scorers: Smith 4, Massier 2, Harman 2, Eleni Mimidi, Morrissey

CSUN saves; Van Vugt 14 (163)
LBSU saves: Patras 4