IRVINE, Calif.-- The UC Irvine defense stepped up in the second half as the Anteaters topped LMU, 11-8, at the Anteaters Aquatic Complex. 

UCI led 7-6 at the half then held LMU to just two second half goals on the way to the victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
>No. 6 UC Irvine outshot No. 23 LMU, 29-20
>UCI was unable to convert on their five powerplay chances
>Portia Schiavone made the start in the cage, making two stops
>Erin Tharp entered in at goal for the second half and stole the ball once
>Elena Flynn led the team with four goals on six attempts
>Kennedy East (2-5) and Airian Grisham (2-4) each scored two goals apiece
>Grisham led the contest with three steals
>Four Anteaters tallied two assists—Nioka Thomas, Kili Skibby, Sabina Shackelford, and Grisham
>No. 23 LMU was led by Mollie Williams, recording three goals on four shots and one steal
 
FIRST PERIOD
>Jessica Lynch got the scoring started at 7:41
>Following two LMU goals, Elena Flynn recorded a goal on a pass from Airian Grisham, 2-2
>The Lions would score two more time to lead 4-1 after the first eight minutes 
 
SECOND PERIOD
>Nioka Thomas would start a 4-0 scoring run for the Anteaters with a goal at 6:59
>Thomas would then assist on a goal by Flynn at 5:20
>A LMU foul led to Helberg passing the ball to Thomas who fed it back to Helberg,
>Stolen ball by Kennedy East was fired for goal from the left side as shot clock was winding down at 3:20, 6-4
>A pair of goals for the Lions (1:28 and :30) knotted the score at 6 all
>Grishman shot the ball up top with nine ticks remaining in the half, 7-6

THIRD PERIOD
>Lynch passed across the pool where Flynn then fired a goal on the left side at 6:50, 8-6
>A LMU goal was floated over the keeper at 5:21, 8-7
>Grisham drove down the right side of the pool and finished it off herself at 3:46, 9-7
>LMU converted on a powerplay with 24 seconds remaining, 9-8

FOURTH PERIOD
>Flynn drew an exclusion and then took a pass from Kili Skibby to score at 5:52, 10-8
>East finished on a quick goal from the left post 3:07 to give UCI the final 11-8 cushion
 
UP NEXT
UCI heads up the road to No. 2 Southern California on Saturday Feb. 18 for a 1 p.m. start.