CSU water polo squad drops two contests in Los Angeles

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March 14, 2009

By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Colorado State got off to a rough start on the first day of its spring break trip Saturday, dropping a pair of contests on Day 1 of the Loyola Marymount Invitational at the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center.

The Rams (8-11, 6-1 Western Water Polo Association) sustained their first 2009 conference loss in the opener, a 14-4 setback to host Loyola Marymount, the 10th-ranked team in the nation.

CSU also lost consecutive games for only the second time this year, its first losing streak in nearly two months, since the season-opening road trip.

The team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first stanza against LMU, with goals by Ali Pavlik and Kailin Custy, and after another Pavlik score trailed the Lions by only a 4-3 margin at the end of the first quarter.

"We came out and played really strong in that first period," coach Mike Moody said. "I was proud that we were ready to play against such a quality opponent."

But the Lions then reeled off three unanswered goals en route to outscoring the Rams 10-1 over the balance of the game.

"We came back and played tough in the third period, holding them to only two goals," Moody said. "But we ran out of gas.

"I was very happy with the level we played at, against LMU, who's among the most physically tough teams on our schedule. We played them straight up until that second quarter, and until we ran out of gas in the end. You just can't do that against the No. 10 team in the country. You have to match them goal for goal."

Pavlik, a bright spot for CSU, added another tally in the third quarter to record her 11th career hat trick. Captain Krystyna McCright registered 12 saves in goal.

The Rams couldn't rebound in their second match Saturday, falling 11-4 to another opponent that received votes in the latest national poll, Princeton.

"Basically, we didn't show up and play," Moody said. "Princeton's very disciplined. They're a solid team. It was a tough loss."

The Rams got goals from Emily Chambers, Kallie Berry, Orsi Nadasdy and Aimee Hartwell against the Tigers. McCright spent the first three quarters in goal. Kayley Provow closed the match.

The good news for CSU is that the Rams don't have to wait long for an opportunity to remove the bad taste from their mouths. Two conference opponents are on the docket for the second and final day of the LMU Invitational, Cal State San Bernardino (11:50 a.m. MDT) and Sonoma State (4:30 p.m. MDT).

"Our expectation is to stick together as a team," Moody said, "stick to the game plan and play hard and see what happens. We feel confident but our girls have to show up to play. We need to learn from mistakes today."

Game 1
CSU 3-0-1-0=4
Loyola Marymount 4-3-2-5=14

CSU goals: Pavlik 3, Custy.
LMU goals: Hughes 6, Benedetti 3, Scott 2, Sherrin, Kosnik, Shales.

Game 2
Princeton 4-0-3-4=11
CSU 0-1-3-0=4

Princeton goals: Champion 3, Brunner 2, Hutchison 2, Ardila, Bowles, Wilcox, Claire.
CSU goals: Berry, Chambers, Nadasdy, Hartwell.

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