UC Irvine
UC Davis
Women's Water Polo Digs Deep for 10-8 Win over No. 8 UC Davis
February 06, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
STANFORD, Calif. --- No. 10 UC Irvine returned with a fourth quarter flurry to upend the eighth-ranked Aggies, 10-8, Saturday afternoon in their first match of the Stanford Invitational.
UC Davis (3-2) came in with their highest ranking ever against UCI (2-1), and flexed their muscles early with two goals out of the gate from Ariel Arcidiacono. Bryn Lutz added one to give the Aggies the 3-2 advantage after one period.
UCD added a goal less than thirty seconds into the second period, but freshman goalie Jenna Phreaner really helped turn the tide to thwart a breakaway opportunity twice and snatch a little momentum back for the 'Eaters. Sophomore Mary Brooks would help the 'Eaters capitalize with her second goal of the period and third of the match with 2:04 left in the half to keep the deficit at one, 5-4, entering halftime.
The Aggies reclaimed their two-goal advantage 1:29 into the third from Lutz who, along with Arcidiacono, accounted for all the tallies to that point.
UCI found its stride following that with two late-period goals to tie up the match at 6-6 with one quarter to play. Gabby Pierandozzi hammered home her second of the match with 36 seconds to go in the period to pull UCI and UCD even.
She finished off the four-goal run at the 5:17 mark of the fourth period with her third of the match to extend UCI's lead to 8-6. The Aggies continued to challenge with a goal 17 seconds later, however, the Anteaters would take advantage of power play opportunities down the stretch with goals from Natalie Seidemann and Mackenzie Milham at center to build a three-goal lead and the eventual final of 10-8.
"Our defense stepped up a lot and Jenna made a lot of good blocks," noted junior Gabby Pierandozzi. "Offensively, we stepped up knowing our defense was struggling early in the game. We passed really well at the end, and that set up a lot of openings. Once we balanced out the two it helped us get back the lead."
Pierandozzi ended up with three goals on the match along with Brooks. Pierandozzi added a steal and was successful at targeting all five of her shots on cage.
The defense found its wits and snagged 12 steals in the match including a pair each from Brooks, Milham, Seidemann, and Emily Carlson. Carlson was very active offensively with a pair of assists and a key goal immediately following an exclusion at the 6:37 mark to give UCI its first lead of 7-6.
Seidemann helped create countless opportunities earning four exclusions on the attack, and finishing off two goals for herself. Hanna Lancaster and Destene Albers each had a pair of assists on the offensive side. Keana Eldridge had a slick steal and feed to Brooks on counter for a goal at the 6:58 mark of the second period.
Phreaner was a force in net for her first career start stopping seven shots and wrangling a steal to score her first victory.
The 'Eaters continue their trek through the Stanford Invitational with a 5:45 p.m. match against familiar foe No. 5 Cal to complete day one.
(10) UC IRVINE 10, (8) UC DAVIS 8
Feb. 6, 2016 – Stanford Invitational
Avery Aquatic Center – Stanford, Calif.
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
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UCI |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
10 |
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UCD |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
UCD goals: Ariel Arcidiacono (3), Bryn Lutz (3), Hannah Harvey, Allyson Hansen
Saves: Jenna Phreaner (UCI) – 7; Haley Cameron (UCD) – 5
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