LBSU W. H2O Polo: Sieprath Hat Trick Beats Colorado State • Long Beach Post Sports

Reports From LBSU, Photos By John Fajardo

Junior Lauren Sieprath scored three goals to help stave off a Colorado State comeback in a 9-6 win for Long Beach State women’s water polo. The 49ers never trailed in the contest.

Long Beach State got off to a quick start in the game, scoring the first three goals as a trio of freshman inChelsea Grabowski, Julie Lantz, and Miranda Furuto got The Beach a 3-0 lead. Colorado State would rally however, as Ali Pavlik scored twice to cut Long Beach State’s lead to one.

The 49ers would never again be tied in the first half, however, as Sieprath scored the first of her three goals with 3:24 remaining in the period. Then after the Rams again cut the lead to one, a steal led to a fast break goal by Sieprath in the closing seconds of the half.

Two goals by Colorado State early in the third period helped the Rams tie the game at five but Sieprath’s third goal of the game gave the 49ers a 6-5 lead. Krizia Cerda then scored the game-winner with 6:38 in the final quarter. Kallie Berry scored on a penalty shot in the next possession for the Rams, but Long Beach State held Colorado State scoreless for the final six minutes on the way to the win.

Kristen Stragier made six saves for Long Beach State, including a back-to-back pair in the final quarter from right in front of the net. Long Beach State returns to the Campus Pool tomorrow to play Arizona State, and will then hold their annual alumni game following the contest with the Sun Devils.

Colorado State – 6
Long Beach State – 9

Score By Period
CSU – 0, 3, 2, 1
LBSU – 2, 3, 1, 3

Goals
CSU – Ali Pavlik 3, Kallie Berry, Kailin Custy, Sarah Ostling
LBSU – Lauren Sieprath 3, Krizia Cerda 2, Miranda Furuto, Chelsea Grabowski,Julie Lantz, Branwyn Lee

Saves
CSU – Melissa Fisher, 3
LBSU – Kristen Stragier, 6

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