March 1, 2009

Santa Cruz, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team was edged out by UC Santa Cruz by a score of 9-6 in the first game of day two of the Slugfest, hosted by UC Santa Cruz, on Sunday, Mar. 1. With the win, the Banana Slugs improved to 5-7 on the season, while the Tigers fell to 4-9.

The Tigers started with two consecutive two-goal quarters keeping close to UC Santa Cruz's attack. The score at halftime was 5-4 in favor of UC Santa Cruz.

The Tigers came out with another two goal period and held the Banana Slugs to the same in the third period to make it 7-6 in favor of UC Santa Cruz.

Pacific struggled to find the back of the cage, making only six of their 23 shots on goal during the game. This was particularly evident in the final quarter, when the Tigers were unable to score a goal and UC Santa Cruz sealed the victory with two more goals.

Sophomore Bethany Quertermous (Humble, Texas) led Pacific with two goals, while fellow sophomores Meara McCarthy (Simsbury, Conn.), Bridget Geck (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Dara Tawarahara (Honolulu, Hawaii) each added one goal. Freshman Allison Kosich (Stockton, Calif.) netted one goal as well to round out the scoring for the Tigers.

Defensively, Quertermous had three steals, Tawarahara had two steals and freshman Katherine Biehle (Visalia, Calif.) intercepted one of her own. In addition, Quertermous and Tawarahara also each had a field block.

The Tigers face off against Cal State Monterey Bay at 11:30 a.m., at the Slugfest in Santa Cruz, Calif. on Sunday, Mar. 1.

Scoring by Quarter:

Pacific: 2 - 2 - 2 - 0 = 6
UC Santa Cruz: 2 - 3 - 2 - 2 = 9

Pacific Goals: Bethany Quertermous (2), Meara McCarthy (1), Bridget Geck (1), Allison Kosich (1), Dara Tawarahara (1)

UC Santa Cruz Goals: not available

Pacific Saves: Lindsey Pengilly (10 saves, 1 steal)

UC Santa Cruz Saves: not available