IRVINE, Calif. --- The 15th annual Barbara Kalbus Invitational started with a win from the hosts, 13-9, Friday afternoon against No. 15 UC Santa Barbara.

The Gauchos (9-5) took the first lead under a minute into the game for a 1-0 lead on Caitlyn Snyder's goal. The Anteaters (10-3) surged back with the next three goals from Elena Flynn and a pair from Jessica Lynch. Tara Prentice finished the period off with a goal 15 seconds before the horn for a 4-2 Anteater lead.

Prentice scored again in a low-scoring second period to lead at the half, 5-3.

Flynn reemerged with two more goals in the third period along with a Nioka Thomas goal to hold the margin firm going into the final period up, 8-6.

The 'Eaters found their stride outscoring UCSB 5-3 in the final frame powered by Prentice who finished with a hat trick and a five-goal game from Flynn to post the opening-game win, 13-9.

Faith Tedesco earned the win in net, her 10th of the season, stopping five shots. Only one Anteater shot was saved on the day.

UCI's next matchup will be Saturday, February 26, taking on fourth-ranked Stanford at 10:30 a.m. in the second of four matchups in the Kalbus Invite.