The California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Otters went up against the Biola University Eagles in a water polo match on March 18. Both teams played tough, but in the end Biola came out on top with a score of 10-9.
The game had a bit of a rough start, with Biola taking the lead in the first period with a score of 3-1. CSUMB quickly tied the score to 3-3 at the start of the second period.
From then, the rest of the game remained neck and neck, as neither of the teams were able to get more than one goal above the other. Cali Havens (#9) gave the Otters their last point with a score of 9-8 by the middle of the fourth period.
The game tied again soon after by the Eagles’s Maria Roldan Gonzalez (#5). With 10 seconds left, the game seemed to be heading into overtime until Biola’s Hanna Jordan (#7) shifted the tide of the game by stealing the loose ball, scoring on CSUMB from 10 yards away. Biola won with a final score of 10-9.
CSUMB’s head coach Emily Schmit said in the game’s recap, “We had a great game tonight. We came out with great energy and that energy carried us throughout the game. We were down a few players due to injury and illness and the team stepped up and executed our game plan. With the younger players filling in and more experienced players playing in positions they normally would not, we’re really happy with the way the game went.”
CSUMB will face off against the Eagles once more on Saturday March 26, at Biola university.