THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women's water polo team wrapped up Tina Finali Tournament play on Sunday afternoon with a tightly contested 13-10 setback to NCAA Division II foe Concordia University Irvine at the Samuelson Aquatics Center.

The Regals went toe-to-toe with the Golden Eagles from the opening sprint, trailing just 3-2 after the first quarter. Aleaha Gonzalez and Clarisa Robles each scored in the opening frame to keep Cal Lu within one.

Concordia used a 4-2 second period to build a 7-4 advantage at halftime, but the Regals continued to answer. Gonzalez netted two more goals in the quarter to complete her hat trick, while the defense battled through a physical half that featured multiple exclusions on both sides.

Cal Lutheran matched the Golden Eagles 2-2 in the third behind back-to-back strikes from Olivia Hurley, sending the game into the final period with the Regals down three. In the fourth, CLU continued to fight, with Jacqueline Brandon, Kelsee Espitia, Franki Court, and Izzy de Souza all finding the back of the cage. Despite the late push, Concordia's early lead held up.

De Souza anchored the cage with 11 saves and two steals in 32 minutes of action, helping the Regals stay within striking distance against 32 CUI shots.

Cal Lutheran now shifts its focus to conference play, opening SCIAC action on Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m. on the road against University of La Verne.