49ers rope Gauchos

Playing with a hairline fracture in her ribs, freshman goalie Candice Chick rallied the Long Beach State women's water polo team to defeat UC Santa Barbara, 5-3, Friday at the Campus Pool.

Blocking high corner shots, including 4-of-5 man-down situations, Chick dominated the LBSU goal with 7 blocks and 5 steals.
 

"I think I played good," said Chick, who injured three of her ribs during practice last week. "Our team stepped-up to this game and we executed what we needed to. But I play as good as our defense plays. It's not all me. It's our team defense."

The LBSU defensive attack led to 13 steals. The 49ers (9-9) had 12 shots on goal and were 1 of 5 in man-up situations.

The 49er offense did not play up to par and executed only 1 of 4 man-up opportunities to tie the game with a goal by leading scorer Stacy Black.

UCSB answered with a solid shot from offensive 2-meter player Brittany Brendel to take the lead into the second half.