CBU Drops GCC Tournament Opener to UOP in Close Battle

Friday, April 10

Fresno, CA

2 PM

California Baptist University

13-11

University of the Pacific

11-9

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Pacific	5	4	3	2	14
California Baptist	5	3	2	3	13

Photo by: Ryley Collom

CBU Drops GCC Tournament Opener to UOP in Close Battle

4/10/2026 4:36:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

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

FRESNO, CA--- The late-game comeback attempt from the California Baptist University women's water polo team came up just short on Friday afternoon as they fell to the 5-seeded Pacific in the opening round of the GCC Tournament in Fresno.

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The Lancers trailed by three goals with under four minutes left and would have an opportunity to tie the game late after a furious comeback, but the Tigers would hold off the rally for the 14-13 finale at Fresno Aquatics Center.

Both teams were uncomfortable early, with each defense exerting immense pressure on its opponent. UOP would strike first on a 6-on-5 to open the scoring. CBU would get on the board on the ensuing possession as Delila Moreno would snare one of her three goals in the match. Pacific maintained its one-goal lead for the majority of the opening period, but the Lancers continued to answer back after every Tiger goal. CBU would take its first lead of the game from a Moreno goal with 10 seconds to go, but Pacific would tie the game again as the buzzer sounded after the first period.

UOP would outscore the Lancers by one goal in the second period to take a 9-8 lead into the half. CBU got the second half started with a quick goal from Emmie Ramirez before the Tigers executed a 5-2 run to gain the momentum in the match.

CBU would fall behind 14-11 with just under four minutes to play and would attempt the comeback rally beginning with a bouncing goal from Devyn Ruffer with 2:00 to play. The Lancers' defense would get a critical stop on the next possession, which would be followed by a Reese Beringer goal to make it a one-goal game with a minute to play. Needing another stop, the Lancers would force another missed shot from UOP and would call a quick timeout to try and set up a tying opportunity. The Tiger defense swarmed the Lancers on the final possession, forcing a difficult shot from Ramirez that would be saved to help seal the 14-13 victory for UOP.

The reigning GCC Newcomer of the Year, Emmie Ramirez, would lead the way in her first-ever postseason appearance with a hat trick and two assists for a five-point outing. Niya Bumbaca had two goals and two assists while Moreno posted a hat trick. The Lancers' goalkeeper-by-committee would combine for seven total saves, led by Amelia Urry with four.

NEXT: The Lancers will conclude their season tomorrow morning against the 6-seeded Azusa Pacific in the 5th Place Match at 10 AM in Fresno, CA.