Los Angeles, Calif. - Despite four goals from sophomore Gracie Smith the Pacific women's water polo team's run at the Golden Coast Conference Championship Tournament came to an end as the Tigers fell to No. 1 seed and No 19 ranked San Diego State, 9-6, on Friday, April 25. With the loss the Tigers move on to the tournament's third place game where they will close out their season with a matchup against No. 3 seed Santa Clara.
In the pool for the second-straight day at the championship tournament, the Tigers could not match the Aztecs quick start as San Diego State jumped out from of Pacific 3-0 after one quarter of play. After just over three minutes without a score in the contest, the Aztec used back-to-back goals just :40 seconds apart midway through the opening frame to take control of the match. They would add a third goal in the quarter with just over a 1:30 to play in the period when Alyssa Diacono scored for the second-time in the game.
After being shutout in the first period, the Tigers got on the board for the first time in the game three minutes into the second quarter when Malena Prlain netted her third goal of the tournament. Just over one minute later, Pacific would cut San Diego State's lead to just one when Smith put one in the back of the net to make it 3-2. The thrill would be short-lived for the Tigers, however, as the Aztec responded with two late goals in the period to extend their lead to 5-2 at the halftime break.
Down three, Pacific found itself pushing back out of the break as the Tigers outscored the Aztec 3-2 in the third quarter to cut its deficit to jut two goals heading into the fourth period. For the Tigers, the quarter was controlled by Smith who scored twice in the frame to keep Pacific in the game. In addition to Smith's offense, Meghan Nee tallied four saves in the quarter to match her totals from each of the opening two periods of play.
With the game on the line, the Tigers traded early goals with the Aztec in the fourth quarter as Smith scored her fourth and final goal of the game in response to Caroline Israels' opening goal of the period. San Diego State would add a second goal in the quarter in the with just under five minutes to play in the game as the Aztec extended its lead to 9-6. After the quick fireworks of the period, the final five minutes of action would see the two teams ramp up the defense as neither team could bust through for another strike, ending the contest at 9-6.
Pacific will take on the Broncos in the third place game at 1:00 pm as the two teams close out their 2014 seasons at the GCC Championship Tournament.
