Rematch Set for GCC Title Game

LOS ANGELES – For the third time in four years, eighth-ranked Fresno State and ninth-ranked Loyola Marymount will meet in the title game of the Golden Coast Conference Championship.

The second-seeded Bulldogs earned a 19-12 win over third-seed Pacific in the first semifinal at the Burns Aquatic Center of the 2025 GCC Championship. The top-seeded Lions then setup the rematch with a 16-19 win over fourth-seeded San Diego State in the second semifinal in their home pool.

The teams met in last year’s championship and in 2022. Fresno State won both meetings, including a 13-12 overtime win a year ago. The Lions have won the last two regular season meetings, including a 11-9 win in overtime on March 22.

The championship will start at 1 pm with San Diego State and Pacific facing off in the third place game at 11 am.

SEMIFINAL RECAP

Game 1: No. 2 Fresno State 19, No. 3 Pacific 12

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview

No. 8 Fresno State (14-7) used a strong second half to pull away from No. 21 Pacific (13-10) to earn a 19-12 win in the first semifinal on Saturday. They have been to five straight finals, winning the last four.

Fresno State’s Brooke Ochoa led the scoring frenzy with an impressive seven goals, adding three assists for a 10-point day. Hailey Andress, Caitlyn Mossman, Abbey Simshauser, and Sidney Strickland each tallied two goals for the Bulldogs, showcasing a balanced offensive attack throughout the match.

On the other side, Pacific’s Dora Alaksza and Hila Futorian each found the back of the net four times. Alicia Petkov, Addison McGowan, and Lily Van Putten added to the Tigers’ tally.

The match started with both teams exchanging goals, but Fresno State gradually built up their lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 4-3. They maintained their momentum, ending the second quarter 7-5, before exploding for seven goals in the third period, which solidified their victory.

Pacific’s goalie Maja Lizy Dulic made eight saves, while Fresno State’s Ida Tully-Giles recorded five.

Game 2: No. 1 LMU 16, No. 4 San Diego State 10

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview

No. 9 Loyola Marymount (19-11) outscored San Diego State (15-14) 8-2 in the final quarter and a half to close out a 16-10 victory at the Burns Aquatics Center in Los Angeles. Yanah Gerber led the Lions with seven goals.

The match began with LMU establishing an early lead, scoring six goals in the first period alone, while SDSU managed to net four goals. The Lions’ Ruth Arino Ruiz and Sophia DeMattia contributed significantly to the early lead, combining for three critical goals, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Despite SDSU’s efforts, including multiple goals from Shannon Murphy and Sammi Byers, they trailed at halftime, 8-5.

The Aztecs opened the third quarter with three straight goals to tie the game at 8-8 on a Mimi Stoupas goal with 5:17 to play in the third quarter. The Lions then answered with four straight of their own to take the lead for good.

SDSUs Mandy Lagerlof kept the Aztecs in it early, making 12. Alyssa Barnuevo had 11 saves for LMU.