Friday, February 16
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
9:00 a.m.
California State University at Northridge
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10
at
7
Cal Lutheran
0-7
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3
4
F
CSUN
3
3
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10
Cal Lutheran
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Photo by: Steve Fitzgerald
#22 CSUN Collects Two Wins at Cal Lutheran Invite
2/16/2024 7:53:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.---No. 22 CSUN Water Polo secured a pair of wins at the Cal Lutheran Invitational on Friday at Samuelson Aquatic Center. The Matadors knocked off host Cal Lutheran 10-7 in the morning match before coming from behind for a 13-7 win over the University of Toronto to close the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CAL LUTHERAN
CSUN jumped out to a quick start with back-to-back goals from Helena Sandhagen and Tatum Scarry. Cal Lutheran got on the scoreboard at the 2:46 mark, but CSUN picked up another goal from Sandhagen for a 3-1 lead through eight minutes. Hovanesian and Katelyn Cornejo added to the lead, putting CSUN up 5-1. The Matadors would take a 6-2 lead into halftime following another goal from Sandhagen with 11 seconds on the clock.
Beata Hitterer got into the scoring act with a goal to open the third period, but from there, the Regals fought their way back into the match. Cal Lutheran scored three unanswered tallies, suddenly pulling to within 7-5 with 5:26 on the clock. Valeria Martinez gave CSUN some breathing room with a goal, and Hovanesian added another on a power play to give CSUN a 9-5 edge through three periods. In the fourth, the Regals scored on a penalty goal and another time via even strength to cut the deficit to 9-7 with 3:02 left to play. CSUN's defense though held strong in the final minutes while Jade Cuevas added another goal for good measure for the 10-7 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. TORONTO
In the early going, Hovanesian and Sandhagen gave CSUN a 2-0 lead, but it would be short-lived, as Toronto stormed in front on three-straight tallies to take a 3-2 lead through one period. The Varsity Blues then scored two goals to open the second period for their biggest lead at 5-2. CSUN was nearly shut out in the second, but Hovanesian hit a buzzer beater to cut the deficit to 5-3 at halftime.
The Matadors would turn the match around in the third quarter. Sandhagen hit the net in the opening minute then Scarry scored another a minute. After Anna Pal scored on a power play, Sandhagen struck the netting once more. Jenna Olson closed up the period with another CSUN goal to complete a 5-0 quarter. Pal made it a 9-5 CSUN lead to open the fourth period, before Toronto scored two of the next three goals to pull to within 10-7. However, as they did in the earlier match, the Matadors controlled the final three minutes, scoring three more times including twice from Hitterer for a 13-7 win.
NOTES OF THE GAMES
ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
"I felt a little like we were playing in slow motion against Cal Lutheran, but our decision making improves as the game went on. A solid team win though and a shot turnaround to play Toronto.
"Another slow start today and we had to come from behind against Toronto. A big second half where we outscored them 10-2 resulted in the victory. It was a little dangerous today with the slow starts and having to get comeback victories, but in the end, anytime we can get two wins on the road is a good day."
UP NEXT
CSUN returns back to Cal Lutheran to compete in the Tina Finali Tournament where the Matadors will play four matches from Feb. 23-24. The team will take on Cal State East Bay at 11:40 a.m. and nationally-ranked LMU at 3:40 on day one.
#GoMatadors
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HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CAL LUTHERAN
CSUN jumped out to a quick start with back-to-back goals from Helena Sandhagen and Tatum Scarry. Cal Lutheran got on the scoreboard at the 2:46 mark, but CSUN picked up another goal from Sandhagen for a 3-1 lead through eight minutes. Hovanesian and Katelyn Cornejo added to the lead, putting CSUN up 5-1. The Matadors would take a 6-2 lead into halftime following another goal from Sandhagen with 11 seconds on the clock.
Beata Hitterer got into the scoring act with a goal to open the third period, but from there, the Regals fought their way back into the match. Cal Lutheran scored three unanswered tallies, suddenly pulling to within 7-5 with 5:26 on the clock. Valeria Martinez gave CSUN some breathing room with a goal, and Hovanesian added another on a power play to give CSUN a 9-5 edge through three periods. In the fourth, the Regals scored on a penalty goal and another time via even strength to cut the deficit to 9-7 with 3:02 left to play. CSUN's defense though held strong in the final minutes while Jade Cuevas added another goal for good measure for the 10-7 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. TORONTO
In the early going, Hovanesian and Sandhagen gave CSUN a 2-0 lead, but it would be short-lived, as Toronto stormed in front on three-straight tallies to take a 3-2 lead through one period. The Varsity Blues then scored two goals to open the second period for their biggest lead at 5-2. CSUN was nearly shut out in the second, but Hovanesian hit a buzzer beater to cut the deficit to 5-3 at halftime.
The Matadors would turn the match around in the third quarter. Sandhagen hit the net in the opening minute then Scarry scored another a minute. After Anna Pal scored on a power play, Sandhagen struck the netting once more. Jenna Olson closed up the period with another CSUN goal to complete a 5-0 quarter. Pal made it a 9-5 CSUN lead to open the fourth period, before Toronto scored two of the next three goals to pull to within 10-7. However, as they did in the earlier match, the Matadors controlled the final three minutes, scoring three more times including twice from Hitterer for a 13-7 win.
NOTES OF THE GAMES
- CSUN improves to 8-3 on the season.
- Helena Sandhagen led the way offensively with seven goals combined on the day. Shelby Hovanesian had four goals over the two matches while Anna Pal and Beata Hitterer had three apiece.
- In goal, Samantha Bright was credited with two victories as she finished with nine total saves over the two games.
- CSUN played without leading scorer Dorottya Telek.
ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
"I felt a little like we were playing in slow motion against Cal Lutheran, but our decision making improves as the game went on. A solid team win though and a shot turnaround to play Toronto.
"Another slow start today and we had to come from behind against Toronto. A big second half where we outscored them 10-2 resulted in the victory. It was a little dangerous today with the slow starts and having to get comeback victories, but in the end, anytime we can get two wins on the road is a good day."
UP NEXT
CSUN returns back to Cal Lutheran to compete in the Tina Finali Tournament where the Matadors will play four matches from Feb. 23-24. The team will take on Cal State East Bay at 11:40 a.m. and nationally-ranked LMU at 3:40 on day one.
#GoMatadors
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Team Stats
CSUN
CLU
Shots
21
26
Goals
10
7
Assists
9
5
Points
19
12
Exclusions
4
9
Steals
12
12
Sprints
2
2
1
Helena Sandhagen
6:51
Tatum Scarry
5:42
Katie Knight
2:46
Helena Sandhagen
0:00
2
Shelby Hovanesian
5:19
Kate Cornejo
4:42
Bethany Metcalfe
3:56
Helena Sandhagen
0:11
3
Beata Hitterer
7:33
Megan Findlay
7:10
Katie Knight
5:54
Jacsen Donohue
5:26
Valeria Martinez
4:15
Shelby Hovanesian
1:25
4
Bethany Metcalfe
5:30
Jacsen Donohue
3:02
Jade Cuevas
1:09
Game Leaders
Shots
3
Goals
3
Assists
0
Points
3
Shots
3
Goals
2
Assists
3
Points
5
Shots
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Points
1
Shots
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Points
2
Players Mentioned
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