SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- No. 6 UC Irvine gave the top-ranked, defending champs a run for their money before falling 9-4 in it's second match of the UCSB Gaucho Invite.

Stanford jumped out to an early 3-1 lead after one period before UCI (1-1) put the defensive clamps on to make it a one-goal match at the half.

The Cardinal managed just one third-period goal as UC Irivne and keeper Jillian Yocum kept Stanford in its sights.

The Cardinal opened it up in the fourth to finish the match out, 9-4, but a valiant effort from the young 'Eaters gave them some opening-day confidence.

UCI is back in the pool Sunday to face the fifth-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils at 10:20 a.m. followed by a 1:50 p.m. match against Santa Clara.

No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 6 UC Irvine

 

	1	2	3	4	Final
Stanford	3	1	1	4	9
UCI	1	2	0	1	4

 

Stanford Goals: Melissa Seidemann (3) Kiley Neushul (2) Maggie Steffens (2) Catherine Carpenter, Kaitlyn Lo

Stanford Saves: Kate Baldoni (9)

 

UCI Goals: Taylor Morrison, Hannah Croghan, Hillary Estrada, McKenna Mitchell

UCI Saves: Jillian Yocum (12)