No. 20 Maryland Stops Pomona-Pitzer & Long Beach State at Triton Invitational

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The University of Maryland women's water polo team extended its winning streak to three games with a pair of victories Sunday at the Triton Invitational.

The Terrapins (3-1) opened the final day of the tournament with a convincing 14-5 victory over Pomona-Pitzer before rallying for an 11-7 win over Long Beach State in the nightcap.

Maryland notched its first win over the 49ers in program history and did so by overcoming a 5-1 first-half deficit.

"It was a great win for us," said head coach Carl Salyer.

Eight players got in the scoring column, led by two goals each from Shannon Simerly, Christine Goetsch and Jessica Ernst.

Salyer credited improved man-advantage play in the second game as the Terps went 4-for-11 in 6-on-5 situations.

"We were better on the power play," Salyer said of his team. "Still not good, but we were better."

Shelby Reyes and Rachel Stein split time in net for Terps on the day. Reyes played the first half of each game with Stein seeing action in the final two periods.

While Stein was blocking three shots and allowing the 49ers to score just two goals, the Maryland offense erased a 7-5 deficit with six fourth-period goals.

"We got the momentum at the end and forced them into some mistakes," Salyer said.

Allison Beck led another balanced offensive attack vs. Pomona-Pitzer. The junior, one of eight players to get into the scoring column, had a game-high four goals. Simerly and Simone Lewis chipped in two apiece.

"We did a nice job creating offensive opportunities," Salyer said.

Wins in the final three games of the two-day tournament enabled the Terps to finish ninth, their best-ever showing at the Triton Invite.