UC Irvine
Long Beach State
Defense Delivers No. 6 'Eaters to Tournament Final Berth
April 26, 2014 | Women's Water Polo
LONG BEACH, Calif. --- The top-seeded Anteaters emerged from a heavyweight rivalry bout with the 5-2 victory over Long Beach State at their home pool Saturday afternoon.
UC Irvine (23-7, 5-0) started slow finishing the first period scoreless, unable to capitalize on four power plays including a 6-on-4 advantage, while Long Beach State (19-11) held the early advantage off a goal from Jessica Brooks late in the period.
The 'Eaters would not convert until its 15th shot of the match as Emily Carlson slung a shot short-side to tie the match up 1-1 with 1:41 to go in the half.
The team's came out of the half tied at that mark before Hannah Croghan buried a shot a minute in to give the 'Eaters their first lead.
The 49ers responded after a double exclusion on Jessy Cardey of UCI and Chelsea Parks of LBSU to turn it into a 5-on-5 possession. A McKenna Mitchell-exclusion gave LBSU the rare 5-on-4 power play that Hillary Veselik would put home to tie the match late in the period.
Cambria Shockley skipped the Anteaters back in front on the following possession, UCI's lone power play goal on the afternoon in 11 chances, for a 3-2 lead that UC Irvine would take into the final period.
A pivotal moment in the match happened with 7:08 to go. Hillary Estrada was excluded for the third time in the match, and also gave the 49ers a penalty try to tie the match. Coriann Snyder, a 49er senior that torched UCI for five of their seven goals just a week ago, stepped up for what ultimately was her only shot of the entire match. Her five-meter strike smacked the right post and went wide to keep the match at 3-2.
The fourth quarter drove forward until Hannah Croghan made a stellar steal to prompt a breakaway which she would also finish giving the 'Eaters a two-goal advantage with just 2:34 to go.
Jessy Cardey would secure the victory with a changeup-goal cross-cage on her seventh shot of the match in the final minutes putting UCI up for good, 5-2.
Croghan was the lone participant to score twice giving her 40 on the season. She also had an impressive defensive match earning two exclusions, swiping three steals, all in the final quarter, and knocking down four field blocks.
Danielle Warde recorded a pair of field blocks, as well. Jessy Cardey added a pair of assists along with her goal and stole three passes. The goal for Cardey was her 50th of the season, her third 50-goal season in her career.
Jillian Yocum stopped four shots on the afternoon, and was instrumental in the defense killing off all seven 6-on-5 advantages for Long Beach State. Yocum's counterpart, Kelly Ringel, stopped seven shots.
The 'Eater win marked the fourth season it has reached 23 wins and cemented a spot in its sixth consecutive Big West Tournament final. UCI will meet No. 2-seed Cal State Northridge in the final that takes place Sun. Apr. 27 at 2:00 p.m. in Long Beach. UCI and CSUN met twice in the regular season with the 'Eaters winning by one in overtime in the UC Irvine Invitational and later taking the conference matchup, 11-5, in Northridge.
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
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UCI |
0 |
1 |
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2 |
5 |
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LBSU |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
UCI goals: Hannah Croghan (2), Jessy Cardey, Emily Carlson, Cambria Shockley
LBSU goals: Jessica Brooks, Hillary Veselik
Saves: Jillian Yocum (UCI) – 4; Kelly Ringel (LBSU) – 7
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