DAVIS, Calif. --- The top-seeded Anteaters scored early and often, and hung on with an 8-3 victory over fourth-seeded Cal State Northridge in the Big West Tournament Semifinal at Schaal Aquatics Center on the campus of UC Davis.
Sixth-ranked UCI (23-6, 5-0) jumped out early with a power play goal from Danielle Warde 25 seconds in. The 'Eaters would score twice more with 40 seconds of each other to extend the lead to 3-0 in the first. They would bookend the period to finish up 4-1.
No. 10 CSUN (16-20, 1-4) responded quickly in the second, but Jessy Cardey would add her second as UCI took a 5-2 lead into the half.
Cardey's hat trick goal extended the lead in the second half, but CSUN would go away scoring to make it 6-3. UCI would add a pair including its eighth goal with 47 seconds left in the period, its fifth goal on the man-advantage.
A quiet fourth period would be just fine for the Anteaters to close out the 8-3 win and send them to the Big West Tournament final.
Cardey got back to her scoring ways with three goals giving her 62 for the season now the third-most for an 'Eater in a single season. Goalkeeper Jillian Yocum stopped nine shots on the game, and was especially instrumental in the first half where she picked up six of her saves.
UCI heads to its fourth straight Big West Tournament Final Sunday, April 29th for a 2:00 p.m. match against No. 10 UC Davis who became the first Big West host to win a tournament match. UCI defeated the Aggies in their only meeting this year, 10-4.
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
| CSUN |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
| UC IRVINE |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
UCI goals (season total): Jessy Cardey - 3 (62), Katie Croghan - 1 (35), Danielle Warde - 1 (36), Hannah Croghan - 1 (47), Hillary Estrada - 1 (12), Kelsey Klatt - 1 (30)
CSUN goals: Heidi Pettinger - 2, Lindsy Nelson - 1
UCI saves (season total): Jillian Yocum - 9 (152)
CSUN saves: Dana Harvey - 5
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