LOS ANGELES, California – The Marist water polo team came back from multiple deficits and battled through nine periods in a single game but came up just short falling to the #21 San Jose State Spartans 6-5 in the fifth overtime and the #24 Cal Baptist Lancers 10-5 in regulation to wrap up play at the LMU Invitational on Saturday.

SUMMARY VS #21 SAN JOSE STATE:

The Spartans got on the board first just 28 seconds into the game, before junior Grace Doerfler evened the scored just over two minutes later. Defense was the name of the game for the remainder of the quarter and after eight minutes it was 1-1.

San Jose State regained the lead with a goal at the 5:14 mark, held Marist scoreless in the period and entered the half with the 2-1 advantage.

Just over two minutes into the second half, the Spartans extended the lead to 3-1 but junior Susan Cantoni answered with a power play goal shortly after to bring the deficit back to a goal.

With eight minutes left in regulation, San Jose State held the 3-2 lead and then extended it back to a two goal advantage with an even strength score just 26 seconds in the fourth quarter. However, the Red Foxes would not be denied and goals by senior co-captain Diana Carballo and sophomore Justine Castro evened the score with 1:57 left in the game. The Spartans regained the lead on the power play with only a minute remaining but Doerfler found the back of the net with 38 seconds left and tied the game at 5-5.

Four three minute overtime periods weren't enough to decide a winner with both teams making defensive plays and both goalies making big saves. However, it was San Jose State that found the back of the net in the fifth overtime period for the 6-5 win.

KEY STATS:

• Marist out shot the Spartans 42-37
• Both teams finished with one power play goal

SUMMARY VS #24 CAL BAPTIST:

Just hours off the marathon vs San Jose State, Marist looked to bounce back vs the Lancers. However, Cal Baptist jumped out to an early lead with two goals in the opening two minutes. Carballo got the Red Foxes on the board with 1:27 remaining in the first period but the Lancers found the back of the net with nine seconds left and held the 3-1 lead after one quarter.

Less than a minute into the second, Cal Baptist extended the lead to 4-1 and then held Marist scoreless to take the three goal advantage into the half.

A Lancer goal 1:36 into the third quarter made it 5-1 Cal Baptist but the Red Foxes answered with three straight goals from Cantoni and freshman Lauren Smith and Katelin Harris to trim the deficit to 6-4 with 1:18 left. However, just like in the first, a last second Lancer goal regained the three goal edge heading into the final frame.

A Marist comeback was not in the books however, as Cal Baptist rolled off four straight goals to take a 10-4 lead with 3:08 remaining. Cantoni trimmed the deficit back to 10-5 shortly after but that was it as the Lancers held on for the 10-5 win.

KEY STATS:

• The Red Foxes outshot Cal Baptist 28-23
• Marist finished 3-for-8 on the PP while the Lancers finished 1-for-5

QUOTE:

"Building a successful program takes time" said head coach Chris Vidale. "These athletes are right there playing really great games but are coming up just short. We struggled with our power plays but it's nice to see we are successful earning them and challenging teams to the very last second on the game clock. Wins and loses don't always tell the entire store. Everyone in this program is contributing and that is why we are playing water polo at a high level right now. We will soon be seeing the benefits from our aggressive scheduling and competitive games."

UP NEXT:

Next, the Red Foxes travel to New Rochelle, NY for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action vs. the Virginia Military Institute Keydets (10:30 a.m.) and the #18 Wagner College Seahawks (3 p.m.) on Saturday and the Villanova Wildcats (10:30 a.m.) on Sunday.