LA MIRADA, Calif. – The 2024 WWPA Women's Water Polo Championship Match took place Sunday, as Cal State East Bay women's water polo lost 12-11 to Biola in a back-and-fourth battle at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center.
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MATCH SUMMARY |
It took several minutes for a goal to be scored but Biola was first to get on the scoreboard after a successful penalty shot at the 2:38 mark of the first quarter. With 26 seconds left in the opening frame, Hope Grantham netted a power play goal with to even the match at 1-1. However a goal at the very end of the quarter for the Eagles put them ahead 2-1.
The Pioneers scored the first four goals of the second quarter, with two from Luna Sarmiento. Biola though scored three of the next four goals to climb back into the match. Cal State East Bay led 6-5 at halftime. Grantham scored three of CSUEB's first half goals.
Both teams traded three goals each to start the third quarter, but the Eagles scored two straight in the final minute of the quarter, until Daniela Passoni found the net as time expired to keep the match tied at 10-10 heading into the final quarter.
Elise Whitworth put the Pioneers ahead 11-10 at the 6:25 mark.
With 2:34 remaining, with an extra attacker, Veralie Naranjo scored the equalizer for the Eagles as the match was even at 11-11. Exactly one minute later, Biola broke the tie on a goal from Stephanie Rodriguez.
The Pioneers looked to tie the match late in regulation with two shots, but one missed the net and the other was saved, as Biola won the WWPA Championship Match, 12-11.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Grantham scored three goals and added four assists.
- With two goals each for CSUEB were Sarmiento and Whitworth.
- Sarmiento also drew three exclusions.
- Passoni made five saves in net for the Pioneers.
- Following the match, the WWPA All-Tournament Team was announced. From Cal State East Bay, Grantham and Sarmiento were named to the First Team. Receiving Second Team honors was Bailey Barlow.
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RECORDS |
The Pioneers finish the 2024 season with an overall record of 19-12 under the direction of head coach Lisa Cooper.
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