IRVINE, Calif. --- Junior Nick Pfeil scored a career-high four goals and No. 8 UC Irvine capitalized on solid defense in the second half to defeat No. 6 UC Santa Barbara, 13-8, in a non-conference game at Anteater Pool Saturday.

Pfeil scored three of his goals in the second half when the 'Eaters outscored the Gauchos, 7-2.

Max Parrague added three goals while Trent Baxter, Winston Newland and Mitch Wise scored two apiece as UCI improved to 4-0 on the season.

UCSB led 4-2 after one quarter but UCI pulled even at 5-5 on Pfeil's first goal of the afternoon with 4:48 left in the second period.

Scott Bishop's goal with 4:25 left before the half gave the Gauchos the lead back at 6-5, but Baxter's score with 51 seconds remaining tied the game at 6-6 at the break.

The teams traded goals to start the third quarter before UCI scored six straight goals to go up 13-7 on Pfeil's last score of the game with 1:22 left in the fourth quarter.

Wise scored two power-play goals in the third quarter as the 'Eaters scored four extra-man goals in the second half.

Michael Bailey started in goal for UCI and had three saves in the first half before giving way to Jimmy Friedrich, who made six stops in the second half.

Eight different players scored a goal for the Gauchos, who fell to 2-1.  Myles Christian had eight saves in goal.

UCI hosts Chapman later Saturday at 4:00 p.m.


UC Santa Barbara        4 – 2 – 1 – 1 --- 8
UC Irvine                     2 – 4 – 3 – 4 --- 13

UCSB:  Bryce Miller, Lazar Komadinic, Jesse Gillespie, Matt Johnson, Matt Gronow,
Scott Bishop, Derek Shoemaker, Jake Miller.

UCI:  Nick Pfeil 4, Max Parrague 3, Trent Baxter 2, Winston Newland 2, Mitch Wise 2.

Saves:  Myles Christian (UCSB) 8;  Michael Bailey (UCI-2 qtrs.) 3, Jimmy Friedrich (UCI-2 qtrs.) 6.

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