Despite a career-high effort from junior Krizia Cerda, the No. 12-ranked Long Beach State women’s water polo team lost its home opener, 14-10, to No. 2 USC at the 49er Campus Pool.
Cerda scored five goals, but a strong first half from the Women of Troy (5-1) was enough to hold off the 49ers (2-6).
The Trojans scored the first four goals of the contest in six minutes, but the ‘Niners answered with three goals in the final 1:37 of the first quarter.
Leading 5-3 at the start of the second frame, USC added four more goals to take a 9-5 advantage into the break.
Cerda’s fifth goal with 2:13 to play in the fourth pulled LBSU to within 13-10 but that was as close as it would get.
49ers goalkeeper Kristen Stragier made 11 saves in the loss. Nine different Trojans scored, led by Patricia Jansco’s three goals.
The Beach will return to action next Saturday in the two-day UC Irvine Tournament.
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