LA JOLLA, Calif. – Sophomore Casey Lynton's golden goal gave the ninth-ranked UCI men's water polo team a season-opening, 12-11, victory over No. 12 UC San Diego on the first day of the Triton Invitational, Saturday in La Jolla.
 
UCI improves to 1-0 overall, while UCSD falls to 1-1 on the season.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
> In his first game for the 'Eaters, junior transfer Jason Evezard led UCI with four goals
> Senior Jack Trush had a hat trick, tallying three goals
> Freshman Zlatan Nikocevic notched his first collegiate goal
> Bryant Joudrie led all players with three assists 
> Senior goalkeeper Byron Rivers had 13 saves and two steals after playing a complete game in goal
> Nikocevic and Baumgardner each added two steals apiece
> UCI went 6-of-15 on power plays while UCSD finished 4-of-19 on extra-man situations
> UCI held a 10-3 advantage in steals
> UCSD's Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt led the team with four goals
 
TURNING POINTS
Quarter One
> Evezard scored three goals in the first quarter while Nikocevic tallied one to give UCI a 4-2 lead.
Quarter Two
> UCSD outscored UCI 3-2 in the second quarter.
> The Tritons' Jack Ranj scored a last second power-play goal to make it a one goal game, 6-5, at the half.
> Evezard had his fourth goal of the game while Trush notched an extra-man goal.
Quarter Three
> Turnbow-Lindestadt scored early in the third quarter to knot the game, 6-6.
> The two teams exchanged points back-and-forth as the game remained tied, 8-8, after the third quarter.
Quarter Four
> UCSD took its first lead of the game with 7:20 to play.
> Trush drilled in a backhanded goal with 1:45 left in regulation.
> UCSD scored in the last minute to send the game into overtime.
First Overtime 
> UCSD struck first in the first overtime but UCI quickly answered as the game remained tied at 11.
Second Overtime 
> Neither team would score in second overtime.
Sudden Death
> Casey Lynton's game-winner came off a pass from Bryant Jourdie with 2:31 left to play in sudden death overtime.

CASEY LYNTON ON HIS GAME WINNING SHOT
"Foster Hoose won the sprint so we got the ball and set up and I was able to fire in a quick shot while their goalie wasn't completely ready and we were able to pull out the tough win."
 
NOTES
> UCI improves to 53-14 all-time over UCSD
> The 'Eaters have won four-straight games against the Tritons. UCI's last loss to UCSD came in 2014.
> Jack Trush tallied his 70^th career goal
 
UP NEXT: UCI plays La Verne today at 4 p.m. Follow live stats here.