2017 will go down as one of the most successful in UCI women's water polo history. Here's a look back at some of the highlights.
UC Irvine finished the season 23-7 overall and ranked No. 5 nationally.
The No. 5 final national ranking is the highest ever for the Anteater program.
UCI's 23 wins ranks second most in Anteater history, behind the school record of 25 set in 2012 and 2014. The 2009 and 2011 teams also had 23 wins.
The Anteaters made their fifth NCAA appearance in the last seven years, falling to Cal 9-7 in the quarterfinals.
UCI had a late rally, scoring six goals in the final quarter and were led by Mary Brooks with three goals. Gabby Pierandozzi added two goals, while Kelsey Thornton and Julie Swieca each added one against the Golden Bears.
The Anteaters had a school record 14-game winning streak, crushing the old mark of nine set in 2012. UCI was unbeaten from March 4 to April 30.
UCI captured both the Big West Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2017.
The Anteaters finished with a perfect 5-0 league record, its seventh regular season title and the fourth time UCI has gone undefeated in conference play (2011, 2012, 2014).
After beating No. 4 UC Davis 14-2 in the semifinals, No. 1 seeded UCI beat No. 3 seed Long Beach State 8-7 in sudden death overtime. It is the sixth Big West Tournament title for the Anteaters (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014).
Mary Brooks had six goals in the win against the Aggies in the semifinals, tying her career-high and ranking second in goals in a game at UCI and first in goals in a Big West Tournament game. She recorded 10 total goals at the conference championship, which was a new league record on her way to being named Most Valuable Player.
Junior Mary Brooks and senior Gabby Pierandozzi were named All-Americans. Brooks was a second team selection, her third All-American honor, while Pierandozzi was an honorablem mention choice for the second time in her career.
UCI claimed six All-Big West selections, including Mary Brooks as Player of the Year.
Brooks won the conference's top award for the second straight year, joining UCI's Jessy Cardey as the only two players to win twice in a career.
Dan Klatt was named Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career.
Kelsey Thornton joined Brooks on the All-Big West first team, while McKenna Mitchell and Annika Nelson earned second team honors and Cambria Shockley and Gabby Pierandozzi were honorable mention selections.
All-American Mary Brooks led the Anteaters with 66 goals, ranking third most in a season at UCI and her 157 career goals ranks eighth all-time. The junior scored at least one goal in each of the last 12 games.
Senior goalkeeper Annika Nelson returned from injury late in the season and allowed 33 goals over 284.30 minutes of action. She started the last nine games, recording a career-high 15 saves twice.
Nelson ends her career ranked fifth all-time in UCI saves with 324.
The UCI offense had a Big West leading 10.1 goals per game average, while the Anteaters are tops in defense, holding opponents to 6.80 scoring average.
McKenna Mitchell was second on the team and sixth in the Big West in scoring with 48 goals. She ranks sixth all-time at UCI with 179 career goals.
Kelsey Thornton has had a breakout senior season with 46 goals, which was eighth most in the Big West.
Shockley was fourth on the squad with 21 goals, scoring at least one goal in nine of the last 11 games.
The six senior field players accounted for 152 of UCI's 303 goals this season. Rounding out the senior scoring was Gabby Pierandozzi with 20 goals, Mackenzie Milham with 13 goals and Tess de Lange adding four.
UCI claimed six Big West Player of the Week honors in 2017, which was tied for the most in a single season by a Big West team. The Anteaters match the 2014 UCI squad holding the Big West record with six weekly selections.
Individually, McKenna Mitchell has earned the award five times in her career, which is tied for the most among Big West players all-time. UCI's Danielle Warde and UC Davis' Carmen Eggert also earned the accolade five times.
Mitchell and Mary Brooks are tied for the most honors in a single season with two, which Mitchell did in 2017 and 2014.
The Anteaters tied a school record with 23 goals against Cal State East Bay on Feb. 11. 15 different Anteater players scored against the Pioneers.
UCI shutout No. 21 Loyola Marymount, 12-0, to end the regular season. It is the second time in program history the Anteaters have held an opponent scoreless.
