LOS ANGELES - The No. 6 Fresno State water polo team saw its Golden Coast Conference winning streak come to an end with a 12-8 loss at No. 11 LMU on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs had won 19 consecutive GCC games before the loss on Saturday.
Saturday's contest was an awaited one as Fresno State and LMU were picked to finish first and second in the GCC preseason poll, respectively.
Senior Abbey Simshauser led the Bulldogs in scoring with four goals. She also had one drawn exclusion and two steals. Brooke Ochoa added three goals. Elisa Grim added one of her own.
In goal, Paula Nieto Jasny had seven saves.
How it happened
The game was scoreless before LMU struck first at the 5:20 mark. Simshauser knotted the game at one apiece, taking advantage of a powerplay opportunity with 4:46 remaining in the first quarter. Elisa Grim got on the board to put Fresno State ahead 2-1 with 2:32 left on the clock.
LMU scored two in a row to take a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The teams traded goals to open the second quarter as the Bulldogs were still fighting for the lead behind goals by Ochoa and Simshuaser. The Lions scored two-straight to end the second quarter and hold a 7-4 lead at halftime.
Simshauser wasted no time to start the third, scoring in the first possession after the sprint win by Cynthia Rosa. Simshauser would score again at the 5:01 mark to make it a one-goal game, but LMU capitalized on two penalty shots and a 6-on-5 advantage to extend its lead to 10-6 at the end of the third.
Ochoa scored the only two goals for the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter, but the 'Dogs weren't able to erase the deficit. LMU also scored two in the fourth to hold the lead.
Fresno State missed significant time from Kaitlin Howarth who drew three exclusions by the mid-way mark of the third quarter, and also Rosa who got her third with 2:19 left to play in the third.
Notable
Fresno State lost its first GCC game since March 27, 2021
The Bulldogs had won 19-straight GCC games
The series with LMU is now tied 4-4 after two losses to the Lions this season
Hailey Andress was kept scoreless on Saturday (five shot attempts), her first time this season without a goal and just the fourth game in her career without a goal
Ashley Williams had four drawn exclusions, her fifth straight game with at least one
Abbey Simshauser led the team in scoring for the eighth game this season
Up Next
The Bulldogs look to keep their home winning streak alive next Thursday (March 28) against No. 2 Cal at 12:30 p.m. PT. Admission and parking at the Aquatics Center are free.