Saturday, March 7
Santa Barbara, Calif.
12:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
8
at
9
#8 UC Santa Barbara
Photo by: Shae Hammond
No. 21 CSUN Drops Heartbreaker at No. 8 UCSB
3/7/2020 3:11:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.---No. 21 CSUN Water Polo (13-6, 0-2 Big West) led for nearly the entire way on Saturday but the Matadors' upset bid fell short in overtime as No. 8 UC Santa Barbara prevailed 9-8 at Campus Pool. Senior Madasonne Butler scored a team-high three goals while five other Matadors hit the back of the net. Freshman goalkeeper Meghan Lopez recorded a robust 18 saves and two steals in the cage.
GAME BREAKDOWN
After nearly four scoreless minutes in the first quarter, the Gauchos struck first on a goal from Amanda Legasi but Butler answered on the ensuing possession to tie the game. The teams traded goals early in the second quarter before the Matadors took control offensively. Following a steal from Alessia Marquez, Tori Wilson hit the back of the net to give the Matadors the lead. Marquez would also get into the scoring column with under three minutes to play in the first half. Butler wrapped up the half with her second tally, giving CSUN a 5-2 advantage after 16 minutes.
CSUN would extend its lead to its biggest margin in the third period on Butler's third goal of the afternoon. The Gauchos ended the 4-0 CSUN run with consecutive goals from Claire Kelly and Legaspi but CSUN went back on top 7-4 on a goal from Katia Andon-Mateos. The Matadors would withstand a penalty shot late in the period and hold on to a three-goal advantage heading to the fourth. In the final period, UCSB put together a furious rally to take the lead. Four-straight goals including a tally from Kate Coski with 1:13 left to play suddenly put CSUN behind 8-7. The Matadors though showed little quit as they picked up a last-minute strike from McKenzie Beardsley, which tied the match once more. Lopez earned a late save to help send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, Lopez continued to come up big in front of the cage, registering two saves to keep the Gauchos off the scoreboard. The game remained tied until the second overtime period when Sarah Snyder broke the tie with 1:26 left on the clock. CSUN would get a pair of looks at the net in the final seconds of the match but the Gauchos picked up a timely steal late to seal the win.
Lopez's 18 saves on Saturday are the sixth-most recorded in a game in team history and the most by a CSUN goalkeeper since Niki Van Vugt (2015-18) had 20 in Feb. 2018 against Long Beach State. Marquez added three assists and two steals to her stat line while Jennalyn Barthels recorded two assists and two steals.
ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH MATT WARSHAW
"Today was a great battle against another Top 10 team. We jumped out to an early lead but then lost three starters to foul trouble and just didn't have enough to hang on in overtime. We are getting some big contributions from some of our younger players. We'll rest tomorrow and get ready for a big week of games starting Monday."
CSUN: 1-4-2-1-0-0 = 8
UCSB: 1-1-2-4-0-1 = 9
CSUN Goals: Butler 3 (23), Wilson 1 (32), Andon-Mateos 1 (30), Marquez 1 (10), Beardsley 1 (9), Dempsey 1
UCSB Goals: Legaspi 3, Simmons 2, S. Snyder 2, Coski 1, Kelly 1
CSUN Saves: Lopez 18 (121)
UCSB Saves: K. Snyder 8
UP NEXT
The Matadors open up a three-match week on Friday against VMI at Matador Pool starting at 2 p.m.
#UniteTheValley
Â
GAME BREAKDOWN
After nearly four scoreless minutes in the first quarter, the Gauchos struck first on a goal from Amanda Legasi but Butler answered on the ensuing possession to tie the game. The teams traded goals early in the second quarter before the Matadors took control offensively. Following a steal from Alessia Marquez, Tori Wilson hit the back of the net to give the Matadors the lead. Marquez would also get into the scoring column with under three minutes to play in the first half. Butler wrapped up the half with her second tally, giving CSUN a 5-2 advantage after 16 minutes.
CSUN would extend its lead to its biggest margin in the third period on Butler's third goal of the afternoon. The Gauchos ended the 4-0 CSUN run with consecutive goals from Claire Kelly and Legaspi but CSUN went back on top 7-4 on a goal from Katia Andon-Mateos. The Matadors would withstand a penalty shot late in the period and hold on to a three-goal advantage heading to the fourth. In the final period, UCSB put together a furious rally to take the lead. Four-straight goals including a tally from Kate Coski with 1:13 left to play suddenly put CSUN behind 8-7. The Matadors though showed little quit as they picked up a last-minute strike from McKenzie Beardsley, which tied the match once more. Lopez earned a late save to help send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, Lopez continued to come up big in front of the cage, registering two saves to keep the Gauchos off the scoreboard. The game remained tied until the second overtime period when Sarah Snyder broke the tie with 1:26 left on the clock. CSUN would get a pair of looks at the net in the final seconds of the match but the Gauchos picked up a timely steal late to seal the win.
Lopez's 18 saves on Saturday are the sixth-most recorded in a game in team history and the most by a CSUN goalkeeper since Niki Van Vugt (2015-18) had 20 in Feb. 2018 against Long Beach State. Marquez added three assists and two steals to her stat line while Jennalyn Barthels recorded two assists and two steals.
ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH MATT WARSHAW
"Today was a great battle against another Top 10 team. We jumped out to an early lead but then lost three starters to foul trouble and just didn't have enough to hang on in overtime. We are getting some big contributions from some of our younger players. We'll rest tomorrow and get ready for a big week of games starting Monday."
CSUN: 1-4-2-1-0-0 = 8
UCSB: 1-1-2-4-0-1 = 9
CSUN Goals: Butler 3 (23), Wilson 1 (32), Andon-Mateos 1 (30), Marquez 1 (10), Beardsley 1 (9), Dempsey 1
UCSB Goals: Legaspi 3, Simmons 2, S. Snyder 2, Coski 1, Kelly 1
CSUN Saves: Lopez 18 (121)
UCSB Saves: K. Snyder 8
UP NEXT
The Matadors open up a three-match week on Friday against VMI at Matador Pool starting at 2 p.m.
#UniteTheValley
Â
Players Mentioned
Attacker
/ Women's Water Polo
Utility
/ Women's Water Polo
Utility
/ Women's Water Polo
Center
/ Women's Water Polo
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Water Polo
Utility
/ Women's Water Polo
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Water Polo
Utility
/ Women's Water PoloA Conversation With Matt Warshaw
Friday, May 15
National Student-Athlete Day 2019 - McKenzie Beardsley
Friday, April 05
CSUN Water Polo Report
Friday, February 10
Meet the Matadors - 2017 Women's Water Polo
Wednesday, January 18