FULLERTON - The Carthage College women's water polo team competed against Cal State Fullerton for a midweek matchup to tune up for the Convergence tourney this coming weekend in California.

• Final score: Carthage 8 - Fullerton 20
• Location: Fullerton, Calif.
• Records: Carthage (1-7), Fullerton (13-8)

The Carthage College women's water polo team traveled to California to take on Cal State Fullerton on Thursday evening. Despite a strong effort late in the game, the Firebirds fell 20–8 at the Fullerton Aquatics Center. 

Carthage opened the game by trading goals early in the first quarter. Grace Steinberg put the Firebirds on the board with a goal at the 6:09 mark to tie the match at 1–1. Cal State Fullerton responded with two more goals to take a 3–1 lead at the end of the first period.

The Titans expanded their lead in the second quarter, scoring six goals in the period. Steinberg added her second goal of the contest, assisted by Mak Werner, while Kamille Graham converted a penalty shot to keep the Firebirds within striking distance. Carthage trailed 9–3 at halftime.

Cal State Fullerton continued to build momentum in the third quarter, scoring seven goals. Brenna Carstens scored the lone Firebirds goal in the period, finishing a pass from Kiera Crawley. The Titans carried a 16–4 advantage into the final quarter.

Carthage showed offensive life in the fourth quarter, scoring four times. Crawley converted a penalty shot, Graham added her second goal of the night on an extra-player opportunity, Malee Todd found the back of the net, and Steinberg capped her three-goal performance with a late score.

Steinberg led the Firebirds with three goals on four shots. Graham added two goals and four steals, while Crawley finished with a goal and an assist. Carstens also recorded a goal and an assist in the contest.

Carthage totaled 18 shots in the match and recorded eight goals, including one power-play goal and two penalty-shot conversions.

• Crawley led the Firebirds in shots with six. 
• Steinberg led the Firebirds in goals with three.

The Firebirds are back in action on Friday, March 6, at the Convergence Tournament hosted by Occidental College. The Firebirds will face Caltech, Occidental, Redlands, and Chapman. For more information, visit our athletics.carthage.edu.