FRESNO, Calif. — No. 8 Loyola Marymount rallied from an early two-goal deficit to defeat No. 12 Fresno State 8-6 on Sunday in the 2026 Golden Coast Conference Championship title game, giving the Lions back-to-back tournament titles and an automatic berth to the upcoming National Colleigate Women's Water Polo Championship (Apr. 24-26).
LMU (23-4) claimed its fourth conference tournament crown overall, adding to championships won in 2014, 2015, 2025 and now 2026. The Lions erased a 4-2 halftime deficit and outscored Fresno State 6-2 over the final two quarters.
Graduate student Anna Tarantino, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scored twice, including the go-ahead penalty goal with 3:26 remaining in the fourth quarter that put LMU ahead 7-6. Cila David added two goals, and freshman Emison Styris scored twice with two assists.
Fresno State (15-10), appearing in a conference-record sixth straight title game, led 3-1 after one quarter and 4-2 at the half behind two goals from Hailey Andress. The Bulldogs regained a 6-5 advantage on Marit van der Kolk’s second goal with 5:32 left in regulation before LMU closed the game with the final three goals.
Styris tied it at 6-all with 5:10 remaining, Tarantino converted the decisive penalty shot, and David added an insurance goal with 2:25 left.
Freshman goalkeeper Madison Searle made 11 saves for the Lions, who won their second straight GCC tournament championship and secured the league’s automatic NCAA berth.
Katelyn Mobley stopped 12 shots for Fresno State. Andress and van der Kolk scored two goals apiece for the Bulldogs.
All-Tournament Team
- MVP: Anna Tarantino, LMU (UTL, GR)
- Hailey Andress, Fresno State (ATT, SR)
- Cila David, LMU (ATT, GR)
- Laia Marsinach Ortega, Pacific (ATT, JR)
- Katelyn Mobley, Fresno State (GK, FR)
- Emmie Ramirez, CBU (ATT, SO)
- Madison Searle, LMU (GK, FR)
- Claudia Valdes, San Diego State (ATT, SR)