CBU's Late Rally Not Enough in Tournament Loss to SDSU

Friday, April 25

Los Angeles, CA

2 PM

California Baptist University

12-15

San Diego State University

15-13

California Baptist

San Diego State

Photo by: Ryley Collom

CBU's Late Rally Not Enough in Tournament Loss to SDSU

4/25/2025 8:54:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

By: Ryley Collom, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications & Digital Media

LOS ANGELES, CA--- The California Baptist University women's water polo suffered a close loss in the Gold Coast Conference Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon as they battled San Diego State for the fourth time this season. The Lancers overcame an early deficit to make the game extremely tight but ultimately came up one goal short in a 14-13 loss to the fourth-seeded Aztecs.

The Lancers drew first blood behind the steady right arm of Celeste Almendariz, who would score in the opening minute of the contest to give CBU the early advantage. The Aztecs would answer moments later, but that would be erased by another goal from Almendariz. The back-and-forth affair continued through the first period, and the match would ultimately be tied at five apiece after eight minutes of action. SDSU would swing momentum in their favor with a 6-1 run to end the first and begin the second period. Kyra Kahahawai would give CBU a slight bump heading into halftime with a quick goal off a powerplay to cut the deficit to three goals at 10-7.

CBU was the aggressor in the second half, coming out of halftime with a successful powerplay score from Almendariz to cut further into the SDSU lead. The Lancer's defense would play much more connected in the frame, only allowing the Aztecs to score twice in the third period while scoring three of their own. Almendariz would score two of her season-high five goals in the fourth period to keep the Lancers on the heels of the Aztecs. Almendariz's second goal of the period would cut the deficit to one with 4:40 remaining but would be answered on the next possession by SDSU to keep CBU at arm's length. Kahahawai would slash the lead back to one with just under four minutes to play with a perfectly set-up goal from Almendariz. Unfortunately for the Lancers, that would be the last score of the match, as the Aztec's defense would prevent the Lancers from getting a quality look at the net to secure the 14-13 victory.

Almendariz gave everything she had in the defeat, tying her career-high with five goals and dishing out two assists for a seven-point afternoon. Her fellow utility Kahahawai was also impactful, with two goals, two steals, and two field blocks for Julie Snodgrass's squad. Devyn Ruffer and Delilah Moreno were the other two Lancers to record multiple goals, while Dora Lehoczky played point guard with a team-high three assists and had three steals to boot. The Lancers were without the services of Tyanna Schneider in goal in the match, leaving Amelia Urry and true freshman Aleksandra Antanasajevic to split time in the middle for the Lancers. Antanasajevic had a strong showing with just four goals allowed in the second half and would also record four saves to help keep CBU alive in the second half.

NEXT: The Lancers will compete for fifth place tomorrow afternoon at 12 PM PT against Azusa Pacific.