Women's Water Polo

Host and No. 2 Seed Long Beach State Holds Off No. 3 Seed UC Davis, 12-10 to Advance to Championship Final

2026 Big West Women's Water Polo Championship Semifinal -
No. 2 seed Long Beach State 10, No. 3 seed UC Davis 


Box score | LBSU presser 
LONG BEACH, Calif. — No. 2 seed Long Beach State held off a late push from No. 3 seed UC Davis to secure a 12-10 victory in the semifinals of the 2026 Big West Women's Water Polo Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.

With the win, the Beach advance to the championship match, powered by a balanced offensive attack and timely defensive stops down the stretch.

Long Beach State generated consistent scoring throughout the contest, converting 12 goals behind a multi-pronged effort led by Elisa Portillo, who finished with a game-high four goals on efficient shooting. Portillo set the tone offensively, while Chiara Amoroso added three goals. Lucy Miszewski and Daniela Quinzada each tallied two goals to round out the Beach's scoring output.

UC Davis countered with a strong performance of its own, highlighted by Chelsea Johnson's four-goal effort. Lillie Vehling added three goals, while Ally Smith, Madison Sparre, and Liberty Massman each contributed one goal as the Aggies totaled 10 scores on the afternoon.

The opening half featured a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading goals and neither side able to create significant separation. Long Beach State carried a narrow advantage into halftime before UC Davis surged in the third quarter, scoring four goals to trim the deficit and keep the outcome within reach.

Despite the Aggies' momentum, the Beach responded with timely execution in the final frame. Long Beach State limited UC Davis to two fourth-quarter goals while capitalizing on key offensive possessions to maintain control.

In the cage, Polina Synytsia anchored the Beach defense with seven saves, including several critical stops late in the match. On the opposite end, Eva Stein recorded an impressive 15 saves, helping UC Davis stay within striking distance throughout.

Long Beach State's depth ultimately proved decisive, as five different players scored multiple goals in the victory.