Cuesta Women's Water Polo, after winning both of their games on Friday, dropped a pair of hard-fought games to close their Central Coast Invitational.  The Cougars opened with win over Modesto and Saddleback to start the weekend, but suffered setbacks against both Golden West, 14-12, and Orange Coast, 11-5, on day two.   The Cougars game against the Rustlers was a seesaw battle that saw six lead changes in the first half, however a two-goal burst before the intermission gave Golden West a two-goal lead, 9-7, and the momentum to hold off the Cougars in the second half.  Cuesta scored first after the break, but Golden West answered with three in a row and hung on for the win, 14-12.  The Cougars faced fellow 2024 Regional Quarter-Finalist Orange Coast to close the tournament.  Cuesta's tournament finale against the Pirates marked their sixth straight game against a 2024 playoff team.  The Bucs jumped out early with three unanswered goals in the opening quarter and pushed through to victory, 11-5.  The loss dropped the Cougars' overall record to 5-4 on the season.  

Cuesta Women's Water Polo shall not return to action until next Friday, when the Cougars hit the road for the West Valley Tournament in Saratoga.  The two-day, four game event holds two marquee games for Cuesta.  On Friday, they play unranked Cabrillo (12:20), before facing 2024 Playoff Qualifier Merced (4 PM).  On Saturday, the Cougars wrangle with both fellow Southern Region rival Cerritos (8 AM) and, after a long break, Las Positas (3 PM) to close the weekend.