FOLLOW THE GCC ON TWITTER & INSTAGRAM: @GCCWP

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - No. 8 Fresno State ran their winning streak to 16 games and with it completed their defense of the Golden Coast Conference tournament championship, defeating No. 18 LMU in the 2022 title game, 11-8, to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

GAME LINKS: BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
TOURNAMENT LINKS: 2022 Championships | 2022 Award Winners | 2022 Standings | 2022 Stats | 2022 Results

The Bulldogs (19-7) went unbeaten against conference opponents this season, getting six goals from freshman and GCC Newcomer of the Year Fanni Muzsnay. Goalie Paula Nieto Jasny was stellar in goal all tournament for Fresno State, making nine saves in the title game and 30 in three tournament games to earn MVP honors for the tournament. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by Muzsnay and senior Yesenia Preciado.

LMU (16-12), who were in their fifth GCC title game, was led by Marialena Seletopoulou and Ruth Arino Ruiz with three points each (two goals and an assist). Arino Ruiz and Alena Sanchez were named to the All-Tournament team. 

The Lions struck first on a Mollie Williams goal and led 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and 4-3. The final lead came with just under a minute to play in the first quarter on a goal from Mei Vilanova.

From there, Fresno State took over. They scored four straight, including the last three of the first half and the first of the third quarter, the final goal of the run coming from Muzsnay, to take a commanding 8-4 lead. The Lions would get no closer than three goals the rest of the way. 

Fresno State's defense did their part, holding LMU to just 8-for-26 in shooting (30.8 percent) and held LMU to just 1-for-14 on the 6-on-5 attack. The Bulldogs went 4-for-7 on the 6-on-5 and finished the game hitting 11-for-27 (40.7 percent).

The 2022 National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Championships will be host by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., May 6-8.