Irvine, Calif. – No. 8 UC Irvine held on to defeat No. 13 Long Beach State, 11-10. The Anteaters had to battle until the last second of play as the 49ers capitalized on five power plays and got off two penalty shots, including one with :31 seconds left in the game. UCI's offense got going early in the game and benefitted from timely defensive moves to end up on top.

Mary Brooks' five goals tie her for seventh place in the Anteater record books for number of goals in a game, and give the sophomore a team-leading 52 on the season. Gabby Pierandozzi had a hat trick by the end of the first half, which included a goal in the first twenty seconds of play giving the 'Eaters an early lead.

The first quarter of action began as Destene Albers kicked it out to Pierandozzi to put the Anteaters on the board. Brooks assisted Pierandozzi with her second goal and Corinna Toledo passed it to Brooks to give UCI three. The 49ers' Tori Morrissey converted two exclusions and Daniela Screnci got a third shot in for LBSU to end the first period tied.

Senior Emily Carlson assisted Brooks on a power play for the first goal of the second quarter. Long Beach answered back on an exclusion to tie it up 4-4. Brooks would score again for the Anteaters followed by the 49ers. Mackenzie Milham converted on an exclusion with an assist from Brooks and Albers passed it to Pierandozzi for a halftime buzzer beater skip shot to put UCI on top 7-5 at the half.

LBSU and UCI both scored twice in the third quarter as Toledo and Albers completed shots for the 'Eaters. Goalkeeper Annika Nelson blocked a skip shot attempt by the 49ers with fifteen seconds left in the period to maintain a two point lead, 9-7, and recorded four saves in the third.

The final quarter got started with a goal in the first minute by Brooks, and Long Beach answered back scoring ten seconds later. Defensively, the Anteaters fought as Nelson blocked two shot attempts including one on a power play with 1:51 remaining. Natalie Seidemann came up with a timely steal to keep the 49ers from scoring. Long Beach capitalized on a penalty shot at 2:32 putting to close the gap 10-9. Albers managed to block an attempt with just over one minute remaining allowing Brooks to score on an assist from Seidemann at :57. LBSU earned and scored on a penalty shot with thirty seconds on the clock putting them within one goal. The Anteaters held on to the ball, not allowing the 49ers to make any important moves to earn the win.

Seniors Emily Carlson and Hanna Lancaster were honored for their four years of play as Anteaters following the game.

UC Irvine will head to Santa Barbara, Calif. for Big West Tournament action next Friday (April 29). Seeding will be determined once the remaining final conference games are played this weekend.

(8) UC Irvine 11, (13) Long Beach State 10
Anteater Aquatics Complex
Irvine, Calif. 

UC Irvine vs. Long Beach State

Box Score	1	2	3	4	F
UC Irvine	3	4	2	2	11
Long Beach St.	3	2	2	3	10

UC Irvine goals: Brooks (5), Pierandozzi (3), Albers, Milham, Toledo

LBSU goals: Morrissey (3), Garczynski (2), Auth, Brooks, Matheson, Screnci, Smith

Saves:Nelson (UCI)- 8 , Butler (LBSU)-2

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