RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The #16 Pacific Women's Water Polo Team (14-11, 6-1) won a dominant 16-6 third-place game at the GCC Championship against #21 San Diego State (13-17, 4-3).

"Yesterday was really tough for us. We didn't play to our expectations, but what we talk about on the team a lot is our ability to adapt, our ability to have resiliency and today attested to that and who we are and what kind of character we have," said Head Coach James Graham. "I thought the women came out and played amazing water polo with so much energy, played together and were really able to take the tough loss yesterday and rebound and find a way through to be their best on the final day of the season, so I can't be more proud of that."

"As much as it's not the way we wanted to finish the season by not being able to move on in the postseason, we played the way we wanted to play. We came here and played at the level in this game that we knew we could play at the end of the season, so it was nice to see us play at the level we had imagined all year long."

Co-Captain graduate student Mariana Duarte had four goals for the Tigers.

Senior Emma Myall had three goals for Pacific.

Senior Ana Martinez do Amaral had two, and freshman Szamira Koppany added two.

Co-Captain senior Toula Falvey had one for the Tigers, senior Brianna Utas had one, senior Lucy Davis added one goal, freshman Addison McGowan had one, and freshman Lucia Sarimsakci had one goal.

"It was a great team win," said Falvey. "Our goal was to have fun together and play together. We really came out fired up to play our last game of the season and bounce back from yesterday's loss. Overall, we had a great season and played some great water polo. We fought through some adversity this season, and it feels great to see how successful we were able to be. I'm going to miss this program, my teammates, the coaches and the school. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger."

Duarte had one assist for the Tigers, junior Aristiana Modica had an assist, do Amaral had an assist, Davis had an assist, and freshman Ilyana Zlobinsky had an assist for the Tigers.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi had a 75 percent save percentage, sophomore Isabelle Knittle had a 100 percent save percentage and sophomore Megan Acosta had a 50 percent save percentage.

Duarte had three steals for the Tigers. Sophomore Annikah Lillie and freshman Hila Futorian each had two steals. Vulpisi, McGowan, Zlobinsky, Myall and Falvey each had one. 

"Collegiate water polo is different because every year, you have girls leaving and new players coming," said Duarte. "Here at Pacific we learn that we have to adapt. Adapt to new playing styles, new plays, defenses and even refereeing. The season did not start the way we wanted, but every practice and every game we were able to improve, adapt, become better players and consequently, a better team. We try to build a fighting character here at UOP, where players are proud to represent the orange and black and understand the history we have and the respect that other teams have when they play us. Regardless of the score, the team played with heart and passion, for the sport and for one another, and that is probably why we came back so strong for today's game."