The Cuesta College women’s water polo team got out to a slow start and could never recover in an 11-10 Western State Conference loss to Los Angeles Pierce on Thursday.

The Cougars (9-14, 0-3 Western State) fell behind Pierce 6-2 in the first quarter and trailed  9-4 at halftime. 

Cuesta rallied with six goals in the final quarter but fell short, and the Brahmas answered with two of their own to put the game away.

Shanae Lauridsen led the Cougars with four goals. Temma Curry had two goals, and Erin Casey, Haylie Fry and Bailey Kelly each added one for Cuesta.

Bianca Magno had 12 saves in goal for the Cougars.