Junior Lauren Sieprath scored three goals and five other players from Long Beach State chipped in as well to help the 49ers stave off Colorado State’s furious comeback in a 9-6 win on Saturday at the 49er Campus Pool.
The ‘Niners (4-10) returned home for the first time since a loss to San Diego State one month ago.
“We’re glad that we’re back at home playing,” head coach Gavin Arroyo said. “We did a lot of good things today, we weren’t rusty.”
With the 49ers leading 5-3 going into the third period, CSU’s Ali Pavlik scored quickly to cut the Rams’ deficit to 5-4. Ram senior center Sarah Ostling tied the game, 5-5, with 1:30 left to play in the third.
A CSU fast-break chance led to two quick saves by Kristen Stragier, who had four in the period and six in the match. Stragier launched a pass to a free Sieprath, who scored LBSU’s first goal of the third period in the final minute to give LBSU a 6-5 advantage.
“Colorado State really put us out of our game in the third [period],” Arroyo said. “Once we got our heads back, we knew that it would be different in the fourth period.”
LBSU sophomore Krizia Cerda opened the fourth period with a goal, putting the ‘Niners ahead, 7-5, before a Kaillie Berry penalty shot cut the deficit to one.
It was the last goal the Rams scored as the ‘Niners played tight defense, led by Stragier’s goaltending. Cerda and Branwyn Lee netted LBSU’s final two goals to seal the win.
“We’re happy that we got scores from all around,” Sieprath said about the collective effort. “We worked the defense well. We made them turn over the ball that resulted in scores. We’re happy with the win.”
LBSU jumped to a quick 2-0 lead with freshman attacker Chelsea Grabowski scoring the game’s first goal. Classmate Julie Lantz followed with her own goal at the two-minute mark on a fast break pass from Sieprath.
The Rams could not solve the 49er defense as they were held scoreless in the first period.
The Beach picked up where it left off and quickly scored again in the second period thanks to freshman 2-meter Miranda Furuto at the seven-minute mark.
The Rams finally got on board with a powerplay goal from Pavlik, who matched Sieprath’s hat trick.
Bad fouls were the story of the second period for the ‘Niners as they allowed another powerplay goal from Pavlik, who scored just a minute after her first goal to cut CSU’s deficit to 3-2.
A CSU turnover led to a goal by Sieprath before CSU defender Kailin Custy responded.
Sieprath scored from the right side with four seconds remaining to give the 49ers a 5-3 lead at the half.
LBSU returns to action tomorrow when it hosts No. 6 Arizona State at noon.
Moody selected for induction into Hall of Fame
Lost in the win was news that assistant coach Heather Moody was selected yesterday for induction into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame as a member of the 2010 class.
Moody was two-time Olympian, guiding the United States to a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and a bronze at the 2004 Games in Athens.
“It hasn’t hit me yet, but it’s an honor,” Moody said. “When you dedicate time and effort to something you work on, it’s nice to receive the reward. I’m quite honored.”