April 26, 2002

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The University of California women's water polo team was upset today by Long Beach State, 8-7, at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament at USC. With the loss, the Bears drop to 16-8 and are eliminated from MPSF title contention.

LBSU's Drue Wawrzynski scored late in the third quarter to give No. 5-seeded Long Beach State its final 3-goal lead and then the 49ers held off a rally by California to post an 8-7 upset. Roberta Stewart had 3 goals for LBSU, while Wawrzynski and Angelica Garcia added 2 goals each. Jodie Needles and Cara Chlebicki each had 2 goals for the Golden Bears. The 49ers trailed 2-1 midway through the first quarter, but then opened up 5-2, 7-4 and 8-5 leads.

Cal will play Hawaii tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket.

Match #8 1 2 3 4 OT Final

#4 California (16-8)		 2 	2 	2 	1 	-- 	7
#5 Long Beach State (19-11)	 3 	2 	3 	0 	--	8

California Goals: Jodie Needles 2, Cara Chlebicki 2, Brenna Fleener 1, Laura Graham 1, Julia Cesnik 1
Long Beach State Goals: Roberta Stewart 3, Drue Wawrzynski 2, Angelica Garcia 2, Robyn Gordin 1
California Saves: Lauren Dennis 9
Long Beach State Saves: Bri Hawkins 7