Lauren Sieprath’s breakaway shot in the last minute was turned aside as the No. 19-ranked Long Beach State women’s water polo team fell one goal short of rallying from a four-goal deficit in an 8-7 loss to No. 16 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday.
With one minute left in the game, an LBSU steal resulted in a 2-on-1 breakaway for Lauren Sieprath and Chelsea Parks. However, Sieprath’s shot was turned just wide off the fingertips of Gauchos goalkeeper Ruth Milne as UCSB held on for the win.
Coriann Snyder paced the 49ers (11-15, 0-3 Big West Conference) with three goals for LBSU.
UC Santa Barbara (20-10, 3-1 Big West) held the advantage early with a goal in the opening minute before adding two more in the first quarter to take an early 3-0 lead.
Following UCSB’s fourth goal of the game in the first minute of the second quarter, the 49ers were able to answer.
Meaghan Leonard put the ‘Niners on the board at 4:48 mark before LBSU tallied another goal to cut the lead to two.
The Gauchos then responded with a converted penalty shot by Kathryn Nelson with 2:51 remaining in the second quarter.
The second half would belong to the 49ers, however, as they scored on the first possession of the third period on a goal by Snyder.
After a goal from Krizia Cerda with 5:36 in the period, The Beach then cut the deficit to one.
Following UCSB’s eighth and final goal with 5:49 to play in the game, a Melissa Matheson brought back the ‘Niners to within one before the Gauchos held on for the 8-7 win.
The 49ers will return to Big West action at the Campus Pool on Sunday at Noon to face No. 14 Cal State Northridge.
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