No. 25 CSUN Falls at Fullerton in Defensive Struggle

Sunday, April 7

Fullerton, Calif.

12:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

17-14, 1-5

Cal State Fullerton

10-15, 1-3

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
CSUN	1	0	2	1	4
Cal State Fullerton	2	0	1	2	5

Photo by: Connor Clark

No. 25 CSUN Falls at Fullerton in Defensive Struggle

4/7/2024 1:41:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---No. 25 CSUN Water Polo dropped a 5-4 decision at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday afternoon at Titan Aquatics Center. Dorottya Telek scored two of CSUN's five tallies on the day while Meghan Lopez posted seven saves in front of the cage.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Titans scored in the opening minute of play on a goal from Shyanne Rainey. CSUN would answer with the tying goal when Telek hit the net on a penalty goal at the 5:47 mark. However, the Titans reclaimed the lead 18 seconds later on a tally from Kieran Scout Bates. That goal from Scout Bates would stand as the last score for over 16 minutes of play. Over that span, CSUN drew four exclusions but could not find the net while Fullerton came up empty on four power plays as well.

CSUN would finally hit the tying goal at the 4:53 mark of the third period courtesy of Helena Sandhagen. Less than a minute later, Valeria Martinez hit a deep shot through the teeth of the defense to give the Matadors their first lead at 3-2. The Titans though nodded the game once more at 3-3 on a Rainey goal late in the third period. The score remained tied until the five-minute mark of the fourth period where Taylor Mason scored on a power play for Fullerton. CSUN had opportunities to hit the equalizer down the stretch but could not break through. Faith Cuevas hit a crucial goal for the Titans with under a minute to play to extend the lead to 5-3. A late goal from Telek cut the lead to one, but the Titans controlled the clock in the final seconds.

NOTES OF THE GAME

CSUN drops to 17-14 overall and 1-5 in Big West play while Fullerton improves to 10-15 overall and 1-3 in conference.
Telek's goals bring her season total to 87. She also recorded her 19th multiple-goal performance of the year.
Shelby Hovanesian led the team with three steals while Kianna Melvin had two assists.

ACCORDING TO COACH MATT WARSHAW
"When you go 4-for-30 shooting, it's going to be tough to win in this conference. Hats off to a Fullerton team that had a game plan to take away our All-Americans and executed it perfectly. Back to work tomorrow to prepare for another top 15 ranked opponent on the road next week at Davis.

UP NEXT
CSUN closes the regular season on the road next Saturday at UC Davis at noon.

#GoMatadors