No. 16 UC Santa Barbara dropped a heartbreaker to No. 18 Cal State Northridge, 10-7, in the Big West Conference women’s water polo tournament fifth-place game on Sunday afternoon at the Anteaters Aquatic Complex.
Freshman Samantha Murphy led the team with three goals.
Senior Shelby Haroldson started the game with a quick goal only 45 seconds in to put the Gauchos up 1-0. CSU Northridge came back with two goals of their own to put the Matadors up 2-1. Samantha Murphy responded a minute later to tie the game. However, CSU Northridge answered and took the lead 3-2 to end the first quarter.
The second quarter consisted of great defense on both ends of the pool. Freshman Bryn Hudson scored the first goal of the quarter with 2:45 left in the half to tie the game. Despite the Gauchos impressive defense, the Matadors scored two more goals to maintain their lead 5-3 at the half.
CSU Northridge opened the third quarter strong with two goals to increase their lead to 7-3. Although freshman Mackenzie Baber was able to sneak a goal in, the Matadors scored another goal to end the third quarter up 8-4.
Northridge opened the last period with two goals to advance their lead 10-4. With a goal from Haroldson and two more goals from Murphy, the Gauchos closed the Matadors lead to 10-7. They Gauchos were unable score again.
UC Santa Barbara finished its 2012-2013 season with an overall record of 20-15.
