Box Score Box Score

LA JOLLA, Calif. – No. 12 UC Irvine men's water polo (2-1) tops No. 14 UC San Diego (1-2), 10-5, in the first game of the day.
 
Inside The Numbers

• UC Irvine outshot UC San Diego, 29-21
• Jacob Pyle started in goal, making nine saves
• Zayd Mahmoud made an appearance in goal, making one save
• Zlatan Nikocevic led the game in goals, recording four
• Tyler Padua and Nikocevic led the team in shots, tallying six a piece
• Jackson Matos led the contest in assists, earning three
• The 'Eaters were able to capitalize on one penalty opportunity
• UCI converted 4 out of their 12 power play opportunities, holding the Tritons to 1-12

 
For three consecutive contests, UC Irvine found the back of the cage before their opponent. Senior Zlatan Nikocevic was able to capitalize on the power play opportunity, assisted by sophomore Thomas Cass. UC San Diego adds to their column off a power play advantage 20 seconds after the Anteater goal. Freshman Jackson Matos netted the then game tying goal, 2-2, his first career goal. Sophomore Dylan Patist is credited with the assist.
 
Nikocevic found another opportunity to increase the Anteater lead, 3-2, on a power play three minutes into the second period. The 'Eaters deposit another goal with 1:35 left in the half from redshirt sophomore Jake Liechty. The offensive prowess continued as sophomore Tyler Padua scored at the final second, improving the UCI lead, 5-2.
 
The duo of Nikocevic and Matos tagged up again in the third for another goal and assist, respectively. Two more unanswered goals entered into the Anteater column before the Tritons earned their first scoring opportunity since the first period. The Blue and Gold held the 8-3 advantage transitioning into the final 8 minutes.
 
Power plays played vital in the offensive effort for the Anteaters. Patist scored the third of the game before Nikocevic netted the final opportunity as UC Irvine continued to pull away from the Tritons. UC San Diego found the back of the cage late twice in the fourth period, but it was not enough as they fell 10-5.
 
Sophomore Stewart Campbell notched one goal on five shots in the contest. In his Anteater debut, freshman Jasper Dale scored his first career goal. Redshirt freshman Samuel Otta chipped in one assist along with Cass's two.
 
UCI will close out the Triton Invitational with a game against Black and Blue rival Long Beach at 1:20 pm.