From LBSU reports

Despite 13 saves by Kristen Stragier, the Beach fell in an 8-6 loss to Big West Conference rival Cal State Northridge at the Long Beach State Campus Pool, Saturday afternoon.  The 49ers (8-15) trailed 8-4 early in the fourth period before the Beach mounted a furious rally in the final minutes of the match with goals from Cecilia Canetti and Meaghan Leonard before eventually falling just short to the #12 ranked Matadors.

The Beach jumped out on the scoreboard first with a goal from Canetti just three minutes into the match to give the 49ers their lone lead of the game. CSUN (17-14) scored the next three goals to take 3-1 halftime lead. The 49ers tied the match at 3-3 after Branwyn Lee and Heather McKeon scored consecutive goals early in the third period. CSUN again scored three unanswered goals to take 6-3 lead into the fourth period.

Krizia Cerda scored a goal with 7:38 left in the fourth quarter to trim the lead to 6-4. The 49ers had the ball with a chance to cut the lead to one and had a one-player advantage but a turnover led to a counter attack by the Matadors that resulted in a foul and penalty shot for CSUN.

Kristen McLaughlin converted the penalty shot for the Matadors and led all scorers with three goals. Canetti led the 49ers scorers with two goals as the Beach had five different players score goals.

The Beach will be back at the Campus Pool for it’s next three matches. Thursday the Beach will have another Big West Conference match against UC Irvine at 7p.m. and then will close out Big West play on Saturday with a match against UC Santa Barbara at noon. The 49ers regular season will conclude the following afternoon with a non-conference match against USC at noon.

Cal State Northridge – 8

Long Beach State – 6

Goals By Period

CSUN – 2, 1, 2, 3

LBSU – 1,0, 2, 3

Goals:

CSUN – McLaughlin 3, McGinley 2, Sonoda 2, Delgado

LBSU – Canetti 2, McKeon, Cerda, Lee, Leonard’

Saves:

CSUN – Stapf, 12

LBSU – Stragier, 13