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WWP WWPA Championship Graphic
3
Cal State Monterey Bay CSUMB (8-21)
10
Winner Biola BU (17-14)
Cal State Monterey Bay CSUMB
(8-21)
3
Final
10
Biola BU
(17-14)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Cal State Monterey Bay CSUMB 0 2 1 0 3
Biola BU 2 1 6 1 10

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo | | Ethan McGarvey, Sports Information Director

Queens of the Pool

The Eagles were crowned WWPA Champions on Sunday, defeating CSU Monterey Bay.

O'FALLON, Ill. --- Biola women's water polo received its crown on Sunday with a WWPA Championship. The Eagles took on CSU Monterey Bay in the conference finals and thrived in the third quarter. A boost in the second half helped BU sprint ahead and pick up the 10-3 win for the title.



One year after the team's inaugural season, Biola worked its way to the top of the Western Water Polo Association. Head coach Sarah Orozco led the team to a 14-14 record in the regular season with a 5-1 mark in the WWPA, before grabbing three-straight wins for the tournament crown.

Eagles shined throughout the weekend tournament, putting four players on the all-tournament teams. Marija Mijuskovic pulled in the top honor of the weekend, being named MVP and first team all-tournament with five goals, three assists and four steals. Veralie Naranjo and Maria Roldan Gonzalez also received first team honors, while Lizzy Birch picked up a second team all-tournament recognition.

The third quarter was key for the Eagles on Sunday, as the Otters knotted the game right after the halftime break. The first shot of the third period found its mark for CSUMB, which tied the game at three apiece.

From there, the Eagles took over. Less than a minute later, BU retook the lead with a long range shot from Marija Mijuskovic that beat the keeper to the left. Veralie Naranjo gave the Eagles another opportunity by drawing a five-meter penalty, which was cashed in by Kourtney Pyle.

Then the Biola squad went on an incredible run to end the period. Four-consecutive BU possessions resulted in four BU goals. Four different Eagles scored in the rally, as the lead ballooned to 9-3 with eight minutes left in the contest.

The defense did not disappoint with a dominant second half. The Otters went 15 minutes without a goal, allowing the Eagles to cruise through to the final buzzer. 

The opening half was an even battle between the two teams. Defense prevailed for both squads, as BU had the edge at 3-2 at the half.

It did not take long for the first goal to come across, as the Eagles found the back of the net on their first possession. A lob shot from Veralie Naranjo slipped through and Biola had an early advantage. The opening quarter was all Biola, as the team held the Otters scoreless for the first eight minutes, helping the team to a 2-0 lead.

The fourth seed out of the west bounced back in quarter number two. A power play opened the scoring for CSUMB, before another score two minutes later tied the game at two. Naranjo came back with her second goal of the game to retake the lead before the half.

Naranjo, Pyle, and Maria Roldan Gonzalez thrived in the championship game on Sunday. All three logged multiple goals and at least one assist. Both Roldan Gonzalez and Pyle each tallied three steals in the contest as well.

As a team, Biola led in many categories over the Otters, including shots (37-25) and steals (16-7).
 
Gallery: (4-30-2023) WWP: WWPA Champions!

Stay tuned for more info, and quotes!
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