Sophomore Emily Garczynski scored the first goal of the match to put LBSU up 1-1.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

Long Beach State women’s water polo dropped a close 6-4 match to Hawai’i in the semifinals of the Big West Tournament. The Beach will now play for third place against UC Irvine on Sunday, May 1^st at noon.

The match against the Rainbow Wahine was very close to start as both teams came out battling defensively, holding each other to just one goal apiece in the first half – both coming in the second quarter.

Sophomore Emily Garczynski scored the first goal of the match with 1:37 left in the second with a perimeter shot to give the Beach a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Femke Aan tied up the match for Hawai’i. Both teams went into the second half even at one.

The ‘Bows scored five goals in the second half, three in the first three opening minutes of the third period. LBSU didn’t back down, answering with two goals from Virginia Smith and Tori Morrissey to make it a one-goal game going into the final quarter with Beach trailing 4-3.

Time was winding down on the 49ers, but senior Jessica Brooks gave them some light, tying the match at four with 3:20 still to go. A minute later, however, back-to-back goals from the Wahine’s Irene Gonzalez ended up giving Hawai’i the first slot in the Big West Championship match.

Hawai’i will play third-seed and hosts UC Santa Barbara for the championship. The Gauchos toughed out a 7-6 sudden victory win over UCI.

UP NEXT 
UC Davis (5)* will play Cal State Northridge (6) at 10 a.m., LBSU (1) against UC Irvine (2) will take place at noon, and the championship match between Hawai'i (4) and UCSB (3) will follow at 2 p.m.

*(Big West Tournament seedings)

BOX SCORE vs. Hawai'i

SCORING BY PERIODS

 
Goals:
UH - Irene Gonzalez 3, Femke Aan, Carla Abellan, Danika Kotylak
LBSU - Emily Garczynski 1, Virginia Smith, Tori Morrissey, Jessica Brooks

Saves:
UH - Ymane Hage 12
LBSU - Alexis Butler 10