Annie Kuester scored on a rebound in sudden-death overtime to give 10th-ranked UCSB a 13-12 women’s water polo victory over Cal State Northridge in the Gauchos’ final regular-season home game on Saturday at Campus Pool.
Kuester collected the rebound of a Juju Amaral shot that slammed off the post and put it away for the game winner.
UCSB (16-8, 1-3 Big West) fought back from 10-8 deficit with three minutes left in regulation time.
Goals from Caitlyn Snyder and Leigh Lyter tied the game. Amaral then converted a penalty with 21 seconds to play.
However, CSUN scored to tie the match with only five seconds remaining, then took a 12-11 lead in the first overtime period.
Drew Halvorson answered in the second overtime period, sending the match into a sudden-death overtime. With nine seconds left in the period, Amaral’s attempt bounced off the cage, and Kuester turned home the rebound.
Snyder, Lyter, Nina Munson and Cami Mras each scored two goals for the Gauchos.
Halvorson, Sarah Owens, and Snyder were honored on Senior Day and scored goals.
UCSB will be on the road for their final four regular season games. The Gauchos will be back at Campus Pool for The Big West Championship, beginning on April 28.