THOUSAND, Calif. – The women's water polo team fought hard but loss 9-5 to two Division II teams, Azusa Pacific University (APU) and Cal State University East Bay, on day one of the Tina Finali Invitational on Friday afternoon at the Samuelson Aquatics Center.

In the first matchup, APU came out strong as they scored three goals in the first period. Kristi McGee scored the first goal for the Regals with an assist from Megan Seeman. Although Seeman won the sprint in the second period, the Regals struggled finding the back of the net. The Cougars however, did not and scored three more goals.

As Cal Lutheran headed into the third period, APU was leading 6-1. Seeman was able to score for the Regals with the help from Bailey Meyer who received an assist. The Cougars answered back and Cal Lutheran was down still, 9-2 heading into the final period.

This time, it was the Cougars who struggled to find the back of the net. Meyer recorded six total saves, five steals and one assist against APU. McGee, Seeman and Christin Hirn all scored in the final period, lessen the deficit for the Regals but it wasn't enough. APU defeated the Regals 9-5.

Cal Lutheran rounded out the day against CSU East Bay. Five different Regals scored against the Division II team but that wasn't enough as the Regals fell to CSUEB, 9-5. In the first period, CSUEB scored within the first two minutes, but Cal Lutheran's Hirn answered back tying it up. CSU East Bay scored two more times before the end of the first and three more times in the second period.

Seeman and Nicole Roed scored in the third period for the Regals, making it a four point game. Heading into the four period, Victoria Rose Meek answered a goal that CSUEB made which was followed by another goal for the Regals by Sam Wulfestieg.

Seeman and Meek moved the ball around and dished out an assist each. Nicole Guerriero, McGee and Meek led the team with three steals apiece. Meyer recorded eight saves and added two steals.

The Regals will be back in action twice tomorrow with games at 8:30 a.m. against University of Toronto and at 1:30 p.m. when the Violet and Gold host Fresno Pacific.

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Release by Nicki Tetherow, Assistant Sports Information Director