April 2, 2006
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Despite an early lead, the No. 10 Arizona State University water polo team could not hold on to defeat No. 12 Long Beach State for the first time in the history of the program as the 49ers forced overtime before taking the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game, 7-6. The loss, ASU's fourth in a row, pushed the Sun Devils to 11-10 overall on the year and 3-6 in the MPSF while LBSU improved to 11-9 overall and 3-5 in the MPSF.
Both teams opened the game with two goals in the first quarter as Ashley Bower gave the Sun Devils the early lead before the 49ers responded with two goals in a row. Kimberly Stevens answered with a goal of her own to close out the scoring in the first quarter and start a string of four goals in a row for the Sun Devils. In the second stanza, Traci Aparicio added a goal to open the frame before Addison Doud gave ASU a 4-2 lead. With one second remaining before halftime, Katie Hedley scored to give ASU a 5-2 lead.
But LBSU would respond by scoring the next four goals to take the lead again. The third quarter saw ASU get out scored, 1-0, before adding another three in the fourth. Despite the 6-5 deficit, the Sun Devils responded as Kim Buck scored with 1:02 remaining in the game to force overtime.
In the first of two extra sessions, LBSU scored while shutting out ASU to take a 7-6 lead. Neither team could manage a score in the final overtime period to give the hosts the victory. Defensively, Caylinn Wallace recorded eight saves in the game for the Sun Devils.
ASU closes out its road game schedule next weekend when the Sun Devils travel to the Bay Area to face No. 9 San Jose State at noon on April 8 before closing out the weekend with a noon contest at No. 2 Stanford April 9.