FRESNO, CALIF.—The 559 area code has been generally friendly to the Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team this season. To date, CSUMB is 3-1 on the season when playing in the Fresno area.

The Otters opened their play in the inaugural CCAA Tournament with a 9-7 defeat of No. 5 seed Azusa Pacific. CSUMB drew No. 1 seed UC San Diego in a semifinal matchup and fell 14-3. 

Senior Alex Tyrell (Wildomar, Calif./Elsinore HS) led the Otters in what was a banner day for her, she scored five goals on Saturday. Paige Robinson (San Jose, Calif./Lynbrook HS) recorded 12 saves.

CSUMB will face Sonoma State in a game for third place. The Otters will be seeking revenge for their season opening OT loss to the Seawolves in Rohnert Park.

Game 1: CSUMB 9, Azusa Pacific 7

The Otters scored early and often to begin play in the CCAA Tournament. Facing familiar opponent APU, there was some revenge to be had for a 9-8 loss on Mar. 21.

Tyrrell began the scoring with a goal just :59 into play. Walters added two more goals midway through the first quarter to give CSUMB a 3-0 lead. After a quarter the Otters led 4-1.

It appeared that APU would win the second quarter 1-0 until Tyrrell scored her second goal of the game with just :03 remaining before the half.

Trouble came in the third quarter as the Cougars mounted a comeback. Down 6-2, APU strung together three quick goals in just 1:24. APU's Brittney Garrigan capped off the comeback just two minutes later to tie the scoring at 6-6.

CSUMB would get the big goals when they needed them. Haley Burke along with seniors Tyrrell and Christina Keller (Agoura Hills, Calif./ Agoura  HS) would help the Otters to a game-clinching 3-0 run. The Otters held on for the 9-7 victory and a date with No. 17 UC San Diego in the CCAA Tournament semifinals.

CSUMB           0-1-2-2= 9
APU                 6-1-1-5= 7

CSUMB GOALS: Alex Tyrrell 3, Hayley Burke 3, Jackie Walters 2, Christina Keller 1.

CSUMB SAVES: Paige Robinson 11.

Game 2: No. 17 UCSD 14, CSUMB 3

Traditional CCAA foes, the Otters and Tritons are quite familiar with one another. Tyrell and Kylie Fields (San Jose, Calif./Pioneer HS)kept the game close late into the first quarter with a goal each.

However, the Tritons went on a 9-0 run and were able to sustain a comfortable lead in route to a 14-3 victory. UCSD will face Cal State East Bay in the Championship game tomorrow afternoon. CSUEB defeated Sonoma State to earn their spot in the title game.

UCSD                7-3-3-1= 14
CSUMB             2-0-1-0= 3

CSUMB GOALS: Alex Tyrrell 2, Kylie Fields 1.

CSUMB SAVES: Amanda Jennings 2, Paige Robinson 1.