Cuesta Women's Water Polo gave themselves the toughest bracket in their 23rd Mechanics Bank Invitational at Cuesta College.  The Cougars opened the tournament with their Western State Conference (WSC) game against #2 Santa Barbara City.  The visiting Vaqueros jumped out early with a 7-1 lead in the first quarter, however the Cougars matched them goal-for-goal the rest of the way, before losing 15-9.  Returning Freshman Center Anna Kreowski scored all nine of the Cougars' goals and surpassed the previous Cuesta record of eight, set in 2006, for the third time this season.   The Cougars' road did not get any smoother in their nightcap against #3 Fullerton.  The Hornets also jumped out to a 7-1 lead after the first frame and built a 13-1 advantage at the intermission and cruised to a 17-6 triumph.  Kreowski and Returning Freshman Driver Chloe Porter combined to score all six of the Cougars' goals, while Porter also added two assists and drew a pair of exclusions.  She currently leads Cuesta in both categories, with 23 assists and 24 fouls drawn, for the season.  Porter is also second on the team with 24 goals, behind current State leader Kreowski, who has 65 tallies.  The Cougars are currently 5-7 on the season and 0-1 in WSC play.

Cuesta hosts the second day of the 23rd Mechanics Bank Invitational tomorrow, with the first game starting at 7 AM.  The Cougars start their day at 9:20 with the first of two against 2021 CCCAA Playoff teams.  Cuesta plays their first game against Sierra, who was also winless on the first day, and close the tournament against American River (2 PM), who split the day with a win over Modesto and a loss to Long Beach.  

23rd Cuesta Mechanics Bank Invitational

Friday September 30

Game 1          #2 Santa Barbara 16, Cuesta 9*

Game 2          #5 Long Beach 21, Modesto 5 

Game 3          #6 Riverside 17, #15 Sierra 8

Game 4          #3 Fullerton 17, Cuesta 6 

Game 5          American River 13, Modesto 7 

Game 6          #2 Santa Barbara 15, #6 Riverside 6

Game 7          #3 Fullerton 18, #15 Sierra 5 

Game 8          #5 Long Beach 16, American River 2 

Saturday, October 1

7:00AM            #5 Long Beach v. #6 Riverside

8:10AM            #3 Fullerton v. American River

9:20AM           Cuesta vs. #15 Sierra

10:30AM          #2 Santa Barbara v. #5 Long Beach

11:40AM          Modesto v. #6 Riverside

12:50PM          #15 Sierra v. #2 Santa Barbara

2:00PM            Cuesta v. American River

3:10PM            #3 Fullerton v. Modesto

*Western State Conference contest