IRVINE, Calif. --- Freshman Kyle Trush scored the game-winning goal with 17 seconds remaining to lift UC Irvine over UC San Diego, 11-10, in a non-conference game at Anteater Aquatics Complex Saturday afternoon.
Trush scored on a tip-shot off a feed from Bojan Hrlec to give the ninth-ranked 'Eaters (12-10) the victory, snapping a seven-game losing streak.
In a game that was tied seven times, the teams were knotted at 7-7 entering the fourth quarter.
UCI senior Mitch Wise, who scored a game-high five goals, opened the scoring in the final period at the 6:20 mark and Trush followed at 5:55 to give the 'Eaters a 9-7 lead.
David Higginson, who led 10th-ranked UC San Diego (12-13) with four goals, scored at 5:39 and Nick Alexander of the Tritons converted at 4:02 to draw the Tritons even at 9-9.
Wise put UCI back up on a goal with 3:05 remaining before UCSD's Tommy Friedrich scored on a power-play with 1:00 left to tie the game at 10-10, prior to Trush hitting the power-play game-winner for the 'Eaters with his fourth goal of the day.
UCI's Larson Pfeil knocked away a final shot attempt by the Tritons in front of the cage to preserve the win.
Senior Alex Kazmier played the final three quarters in goal for UCI and made some clutch saves, finishing with eight stops.
UCI heads north next weekend to face Pacific Saturday and California Sunday in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation games.
Non-Conference
UC San Diego 4-2-1-3 --- 10
UC Irvine 4-2-1-4 --- 11
UCSD: David Higginson 4, Tommy Friedrich 3, Chase Cockerill, Andy Moore, Nick Alexander.
UCI: Mitch Wise 5, Kyle Trush 4, Kyle Kittlitz, Jacob Mourer.
Saves: Cameron Ravanbach (UCSD) 8; Bo de Lange (UCI) 1, Alex Kazmier (UCI) 8.
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