Women's water polo splits games in Santa Barbara

By Jay Seidel, On-line Forty-Niner

March 3,1998

The newest sport to hit Long Beach State has started its 1998 season this weekend.

The Beach's women's water polo team picked up two wins and two loses over the weekend in the Gaucho 16-Team Women's Water Polo Invitational. The tournament was hosted by UC Santa Barbara.

The Beach which played, and lost, two pre-season games against Hawaii in late January, now has a record of 2-4 overall.

The team, which is led by coach and LBSU alumni Sandy Vessy-Schneider, will focus on just getting used to playing the new sport.

"Patience will be the key this year," Vessy-Schnider said. "Being the first year and a building year for us, we'll have to keep that in mind and not get frustrated too easy."

The Beach opened up the tournament with a loss to USC 10-0. Freshman utility player Lisa Helm scored the only goal for The Beach.

With the first game out of the way The Beach faced UC Santa Cruz. Led by Helm's three goals, The Beach downed the Banana Slugs 7-2.

Freshman two-meter player Stacey Black scored two goals in the win.

The Beach lost to Redlands in the next game 6-4. The Beach tried to mount a comeback after falling behind 4-1 after two periods.

Black and freshman driver Jessica Johnson scored two goals a piece.

In the final game of the tournament, The Beach unloaded its previous frustration on Loyola Marymount.

The 49ers doubled up the Lions 10-5. Helm scored a season high four goals, while Johnson added three.

Black picked up two goals, bringing her season total to 11. Freshman driver Amy Sobek picked up her first goal in the victory.

The Beach will open Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play against San Diego State Friday.

The game will mark the inaugural season home opener at the campus pool.