THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1999

Defense does in water polo squad

By Tyler Hemstreet

Daily Forty-Niner

The Long Beach State women's water polo team continues to be plagued by its inconsistent defense.

The 49ers (10-7) gave up a 5-4 halftime lead and lost to seventh ranked Massachusetts 7-5, Monday at the Campus Pool.

UMass got out to an early 2-0 lead on two quick goals by Claudia Clement, who finished with four.

After another Minutewomen goal put them up 3-1, The Beach came roaring back.

Goals by Morgan Meyer, Karen Helm and Jessica Johnson gave the 49ers the lead.

UMass tied the score on Clement's third goal of the day, but Long Beach got a breakaway goal from Liz Garcia to give them the lead at the half.

The 49er scoring was put to an abrupt stop in the second half, as the UMass defense turned it up a notch. Massachusetts goalie Chrissy Richardson finished with 12 saves, five of them coming in the fourth quarter.

The Minutewomen offense responded by scoring two goals in the third and adding an insurance goal in the fourth.

UMass improved to 9-1 with the win.

The 49ers travel to Honolulu this weekend for the Rainbow Challenge Tournament.