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Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Renegades (Canadian club team) [Exhibition]
Water polo recap: Renegades retain Rams
3/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 4, 2012
Photo Gallery from the weekend
By Nic Hallisey
Athletic Media Relations
THORNTON, Colo.—Playing an exhibition contest Sunday allowed water polo coach Mike Moody to work on different defensive strategies. While the Rams got plenty of practice—which may come in handy later in the season—CSU was dealt another loss, falling to the Calgary Renegades, 11-9, at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
“We used this game to keep working on our straight-press defense,” Moody said. “We did that during the first three periods, and then shifted to our standard zone defense. Basically what that does is it allows our offense to engage quicker.”
A major difference was seen with the defensive switch in the final frame.
Trailing 9-5 entering the fourth period, CSU rallied with four goals in 3 minutes, 26 seconds to knot the score at 9-9. Senior defender Amber Bryan got the scoring started with goals on back-to-back possessions. Moments later, junior Caroline Young made it a one-point game with a successful penalty shot, and following a steal on the ensuing possession, junior Shelby Schaefer tied the score with a fastbreak goal.
Calgary regained the lead with 3:46 to play, however, and despite several good looks in the closing minutes, the Rams never could get the equalizer. Calgary extended its lead with 31 ticks remaining to seal the victory for the Renegades.
“It’s another disappointing loss,” Moody said. “I know our girls are getting frustrated, and so am I. Obviously we would have liked to have gotten that win against a good club team from Canada.”
CSU jumped out to an early lead with two Lauren Porteus goals in the first 75 seconds of action, and led 4-1 at the first intermission. However, the Rams’ offense went cold, being outscored 9-1 in the second and third periods.
In the game, the Rams received goals from Bryan (2), Porteus (2), Stephanie Weed (2), Young (2) and Schaefer (1). Junior Melissa Fisher had 11 stops in goal.
The defeat concludes CSU’s 2012 home schedule. Earlier in the day, No. 13 Indiana beat Cal State East Bay, 8-5, to go 3-0 in the Colorado State University Tournament. CSU will look to stop its slide this coming weekend as the Rams travel to the West Coast for the first time this season, facing No. 20 UC San Diego (Friday at 6 p.m. MT) and No. 8 UC Irvine (Saturday at 7:30 p.m. MT).
“We’re all hungry to get back in the pool again,” Moody said. “We know we need to come together as a team, but we’re eager to play again and show we can.”
