UPCOMING MATCHES
Live Stats
No. 6 UC Irvine Anteaters at No. 19 Loyola Marymount Lions
Friday April 8, 2016/4:00 p.m.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Home run
The Anteaters hosted two home games at Anteater Aquatics Complex over the weekend (April 2-3) earning the wins in both match-ups.
Saturday UC Irvine took on No. 25 CSUN in a Big West conference match-up earning the 12-6 win and the 'Eaters first conference victory.
Offensive team-effort with eight different Anteaters scoring and timely defensive moves, including four steals by Mary Brooks and two by Hanna Lancaster along with three earned exclusions for Brooks, helped to propel the 'Eaters past the Matadors.
Sunday UC Irvine welcomed another Big West opponent to the Anteater Aquatics Complex in No. 14 UC Santa Barbara. The Anteaters overcame a halftime 4-2 deficit to tie it up 5-5 in the third quarter and surge ahead in the final period to win 8-5.
The Anteaters scored two goals early in the first quarter, and would not score again until the second half, as UCSB's goalkeeper Mackenzie Brokaw recorded five saves in the second period.
UC Irvine made up for the lack of offense early by scoring six goals in the second half and turning up the defense. Gabby Pierandozzi blocked a shot early in the second half at 2 meters which Brooks capitalized on with a goal. The 'Eaters then took advantage of two exclusions converting them to goals and leaving the third quarter tied 5-5.
The Anteaters powered ahead in the final quarter with goals by Kelli Baumgardner, Destene Albers and Brooks. Defensively, goalkeeper Annika Nelson recorded five saves in the fourth quarter and Brooks and Baumgardner each came away with a steal to keep the Gauchos at bay.
UC Irvine brought their record up to 15-9 overall on the season and 2-1 in the Big West.
Numbers game
UC Irvine remained in the No. 6 spot for the second week amongst the College Water Polo Association rankings. The top ten remain unchanged with No. 1 USC still holding the top spot.
The Anteaters lead in defense amongst the Big West conference allowing the fewest team goals with 147 (6.13 per game average). 'Eaters' goalkeeper Nelson holds the top Big West spot with fewest goals against, as the junior stands at a 5.41 average in goals allowed per game.
Lion Tamer
UC Irvine (15-9) is on the road this week but does not have to travel far to square off against No. 19 Loyola Marymount (9-16) in Los Angeles, Calif.
This will be the second time this season UCI takes on LMU as the Anteaters defeated the Lions 8-5 back on February 14 at the Triton Invitational.
The 'Eaters look to continue a four-game win streak and advance the series record against Loyola Marymount as UCI is shy of LMU by six games with a 10-16 overall record.
The Lions are 4-20 against ranked opponents with one of those wins against a higher ranked team in No. 11 UC Santa Barbara. LMU defeated the Gauchos at the Triton Invitational 15-11 when LMU was ranked 16th.
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