Titans lose third straight conference match to UC San Diego

Heading down south for their first road conference match this season, Cal State Fullerton women’s water polo team had two goals on Friday: earn their programs’ first conference win against UC San Diego and get their inaugural season back on track.

Heading into this match, the Titans lost their previous two conference matches and were outscored 32-4.

Despite a fast start to the match, the Titans could not keep up with the pace, losing 19-7 to No. 16 UC San Diego. The Titans’ conference record moved to 0-3 and their overall record to 9-13.

Offensively, the Titans were led by the freshman duo Mia Solorzano and Kylie Corwin, who each scored two goals a piece.

Throughout the match, the Titans were unable to convert their shot opportunities. Despite outshooting the Tritons, 29-28, the Titans failed to capitalize on their chances, putting together an inefficient 24.1% shot percentage compared to the Tritons 67.9%. 

The Titans goalkeepers also struggled throughout the match, combining for only 2 saves while allowing 19 goals. 

Titans goalkeeper Haden Skye Bates started the match, allowing 16 goals while only making 2 saves. The Tritons’ success against Bates caused the Titans to make a change and bring in goalkeeper Minami Creamer. Unfortunately, Creamer did not fare much better, allowing 3 goals and making no saves.

Coming out of the gates, the two teams got on the scoreboard early, both scoring within the first minute. However from this point forward, the Tritons took over and went on a 6-0 scoring run to put them up 7-1 in the second period.

The Titans attempted to close the scoring gap in the second period scoring 3 goals, but the Tritons’ consistent scoring made the Titans unable to close the scoring gap. 

Returning from the half, the Titans were down 10-4 and were attempting a comeback. However a poor defensive performance kept the Tritons’ lead large, as they once again outscored the Titans 5-2.

Gabrielle Zaretskiy scored an early goal in the final period, but ultimately the deficit was too big to recover from.

The Titans will attempt to snap their three game losing streak this Saturday in a doubleheader against Occidental College.The first match will begin at 2 p.m.