Women's Water Polo

March 15, 2012

Long Beach, Calif. - Down 5-3 in the fourth quarter, Long Beach State rallied to tie the game in the final minute, and then the 49ers scored the only goal in the overtime periods to defeat Bucknell 6-5 on Thursday. Kelly Ringel had a huge day for the 49ers, keeping Long Beach State in the game with 20 saves against the Bison.

Down 5-3 after a goal from Julianne Valdes, Long Beach State regrouped with its final full timeout and stormed back into the match. The 49ers pulled to within one goal with a goal by Melissa Matheson, and then in the final minute, freshman Justine Morgan scored to send the game to overtime. Morgan then struck again in the first overtime with her second goal, and the stout 49er defense clamped down for six full scoreless minutes in the overtime to claim the win.

Bucknell had taken a 2-0 lead after the first period behind goals from Julianne Valdes and Taylor Barnett, but the 49ers got a goal from Chelsea Parks following a breakaway by Julia Garyfallou. The 49ers would ten tie the score twice at 2-2 and 3-3 before the Bison pushed ahead with two quick goals in the fourth quarter.

Long Beach State returns to the Campus Pool at 3 p.m. on Friday, when the 49ers host the Harvard Crimson.

Bucknell - 2, 1, 0, 2, 0, 0 : 5
Long Beach State - 0, 2, 1, 2, 1, 0 : 6

Goals:
BU: Julianne Valdes 2, Taylor Barnett, Hallie Kennan, Barbara Peterson
LBSU: Justine Morgan 2, Chelsea Parks 2, Claire Martin, Melissa Matheson

Saves:
BU: Rena Heim 10
LBSU: Kelly Ringel 20