LA MIRADA, Calif. - The Concordia women's water polo team secured the No. 1 seed in the West for the upcoming WWPA Conference Tournament after a crazy 12-11 victory over their rivals from Biola on Thursday.

Sophomore Anna Tyukasz scored in sudden death overtime as the shot clock was expiring to deliver Concordia the key victory.

Tyukasz converted off a pass from senior Hannah Edwards, who had just won the sprint to give CUI the first possession a few moments earlier to start that final period. It was a dramatic ending to a game where both squads had chances to win it down the stretch. It could also be a potential playoff preview.

In addition to earning the No. 1 seed, CUI has clinched at least a share of the regular season conference title and earned a bye into the semifinals of the WWPA Tournament. If CUI defeats Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday, CUI will land in first place all by themselves. If the Otters pull off the upset, then CUI, Biola and CSUMB will be co-champions of the regular season. Entering that last contest, the conference records are as such: CUI (6-1), Biola (6-2), CSUMB (5-2).

Tyukasz and freshman Mia Hueston each scored four goals to lead the CUI offense. Tyukasz finished with five points as she was also credited with an assist. Lucy Aggs added three assists, Munroe Blem and Emeline Smiley each had two helpers while Edwards stepped up in key moments to win the last two sprints.

Senior Sofia Smith scored a clutch goal with the shot clock winding down in the third period to push Concordia's lead to 8-4. It appeared that the Golden Eagles were about to fly away from the host Eagles but Biola rallied to get back in the contest. It was tied 8-8 at the end of the third quarter as Biola outscored CUI 5-2 in that frame.

Tyukasz put CUI up 10-9 with under a minute to play in the fourth but Biola tied it to force overtime on their last possession.  Hueston did the same thing in overtime to put CUI up one before Annabelle Rapp net the equalizer with under 30 seconds to go in the second overtime. 

CUI goalie Jaden Soto was superb protecting the cage and racked up a dozen saves. She had a number of key stops down the stretch and picked up four crucial steals to help gain extra possessions for the Green and Gold. The junior from Murrieta, Calif. now has over 50 steals on the season.

Edwards, Smith, Lucy Aggs, Sierrah Freguson each were credited with multiple steals for Concordia on the defensive end.

The stage is now set for Concordia's last regular season game which is back at home this Friday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m. PT against Cal State Monterey Bay.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's water polo schedule

Regardless, CUI will play its first game at the conference tournament as an exhibition on Friday, April 10 at 9 a.m. against UC Merced.

CLICK HERE for Tournament Central for the upcoming WWPA Conference Tournament