THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – CSUN’s tenth ranked women’s water polo team (14-5) played stellar defense and exploded on offense this past weekend, where it played Arizona State, Cal Lutheran, Pomona-Pizter, and Villanova at the Cal Lutheran Invitational this weekend.
CSUN defense held its opponents to 21 goals with two goalies combining for 39 saves in four games.
“We are number one in team defense this year,” said head coach Marcelo Leonardi. “We have the ability to score goals, but there will be times where we can’t so our defense really locks down the other teams.”
CSUN vs. Arizona State
After a 14-4 loss against the sixth ranked Sun Devils on Feb. 27, the Matadors looked to play for revenge this time around but came up short losing 10-8.
“It gave us an opportunity to see really where we are at,” Leonardi said on playing the sixth ranked team.
Arizona State led the entire game and started the scoring with a 2-1 lead after the first period. CSUN trailed by only two at the half to make it 6-4. At the end of the third Arizona State took a three-point lead of 9-6. CSUN tried to get back in the game scoring two more goals in the fourth while the Sun Devils added one more goal.
In the game CSUN’s Whitney Delgado had a career-high six goals in the game and goalie Jillian Stapf had 10 saves.
“It’s a team collaboration, it’s not just me.” said sophomore attacker Delgado, who leads the team in scoring with 42 goals, “We are always trying to create for each other to get goals.”
CSUN vs. Cal Lutheran
After a disappointing two goal loss, CSUN came into Cal Lutheran with stronger defense and let its offense work at its best in a 10-1 win.
The Matadors took a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period and added two more goals at the half to give them a 4-1 lead. In the third CSUN broke the lead wide open with five more goals and before the game was over it added two more goals. Both goalies made appearance for the Matadors, as they combined for six saves.
CSUN vs. Pomona-Pitzer
The Matadors took a commanding 6-1 lead in the first over the Sagehens, giving them a 12-5 win. CSUN goalie Nicole Concialdi got the start and played a solid 32 minutes for the team making 15 saves. Delgado added three more goals and freshman Sabrina Anonas had two goals in the game.
CSUN jump on the board at the 6:30 mark to take the lead 1-0, but Pomona-Pitzer answered back to tie the game. After that it was all CSUN’s offense scoring seven goals before the first half was over to give them an 8-2 lead.
In the second half CSUN added four more goals and allowed only three more goals by the Sagehens.
CSUN vs. Villanova
On Sunday the Matadors cruised by the Wildcats, winning 13-6.
CSUN also played Penn State-Behrend at 5 p.m. on Sunday (scores were not available before press time).
