RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In a back-and-forth tight battle, Azusa Pacific water polo fell to San Diego State in overtime of the first round of the Golden Coast Conference Tournament Friday by a score of 8-7. It was the second team the two sides met this season, and the second time they needed overtime to decide the outcome. 

Shyanne Rainey and Gabrielle Martinez each scored two goals apiece while Kate Green-Jones made 14 saves in the closely contested matchup. The Cougars grabbed the early lead but were unable to hang on for what would have been their second-ever win over San Diego State.

The Cougars will now turn their attention to the fifth-place game versus Santa Clara on Saturday, April 23rd. The game is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Lancer Aquatic Center and will be the final game of the season.

How it Happened: Azusa Pacific grabbed a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game as Rainey tallied her first of the game. The Aztecs would tie it over a minute later with their lone power-play goal of the game.

Milena Guzmán Ortiz got in on the action with an even-strength goal to give her side the 2-1 lead before Kyra Kahahawai scored to increase the lead to 3-1. 

With the score at 3-2 in the second period, Montana White set up Martinez who scored on the power-play for her first goal of the game before White scored a transition goal to give Azusa Pacific its largest lead of the game, 5-2. 

Out of a San Diego State timeout, the Aztecs scored the final two goals of the first half cutting the deficit to 5-4 at the break.

In the third period, Martinez tallied her second of the game on the power-play increasing the advantage back to two goals. Both teams would score before the end of the third as Rainey's second goal of the game gave Azusa Pacific a 7-5 lead heading into the fourth period.

San Diego State got one back just 10 seconds into the fourth period before tying it up with 6:48 left to play. The Cougars called a timeout and out of the stoppage, a pair of Cougars hit the post.

Green-Jones made a pair of saves before coming up with her biggest of the afternoon on a five-meter penalty shot with 4:32 to go in the game keeping the game tied at 7-apiece. Green-Jones made three more saves down the stretch to force the game into overtime.

After the Cougars were unable to convert on the power-play early in the overtime period, it was the Aztecs that scored their third straight of the game taking an 8-7 lead with 1:58 left in the first overtime period. 

Azusa Pacific had shots clang off the post two more times in the second half of overtime while the San Diego State netminder made a few clutch saves as well to keep the Cougars off the scoresheet. The game ended with a final score of 8-7.

By the Numbers: Both teams recorded 36 shots, the Cougars were whistled for nine exclusions while the Aztecs were called for 10. Azusa Pacific converted on one more power-play opportunity compared to its counterparts while both head coaches were gifted yellow cards in the fourth quarter and overtime periods. Neither side was able to finish their five-meter penalty as both netminders had double-digit saves in the game.

Up Next: The Cougars will now turn their attention to the fifth-place game versus Santa Clara tomorrow Saturday, April 23rd. The game is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Lancer Aquatic Center and will be the final game of the season. Stream the game live here at this link, or follow the live stats here.