UCI Drops Road Contest To No. 1/1 UCLA

Saturday, February 10

Los Angeles, CA

1 p.m.

UC Irvine

4-5

UCLA

9-0

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
UC Irvine	1	2	0	2	5
UCLA	2	4	5	5	16

UCI Drops Road Contest To No. 1/1 UCLA

February 10, 2024 | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

By: Jordan Kehoe

LOS ANGELES – No. 8/7 UC Irvine dropped to the top ranked No. 1/1 UCLA, 16-5, on Saturday afternoon at the Spieker Aquatics Center.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Sophomore Maja Layden was the only UCI player to score multiple goals with two
Layden has posted a score in four consecutive games
Gracie Helberg, Lauren Hett, and Annabelle Mundelius had the other scores for UCI
Hett also blocked two shots in the field and drew a team best four exclusions
Libby Alexander, Brooke Hourigan, and Mundelius each tallied an assist each
Senior Faith Tedesco played the first three quarters of the contest where she blocked three shots and recorded the Anteaters lone steal
Freshman Rachel Kirchner made her first appearance of the season in the net in the fourth period
UC Irvine drops to 0-33 all-time against the Bruins
No. 1/1 UCLA was led by Taylor Smith who recorded three goals on five shots and dished out three assists

SCORING BREAKDOWN

First period: Action in the game started quickly as No. 8/7 UC Irvine put themselves in position to draw early fouls. Gracie Helberg was in the right place as the officials gave her the opportunity to convert on a five-meter penalty shot to take the early lead. No. 1/1 UCLA was able to put two into the back of the cage to step out in front, 2-1.
- Helberg (1)
Second period: The Bruins continued to build on their momentum with two more goals to start the period. Annabelle Mundelius connected with Maja Layden for a score at 2:05 before depositing one of her own on the power play (1:04). UCLA added one more in the final second left in the half, 6-3.
- Layden (1) and Mundelius (1)
Third period: No. 1/1 UCLA came out of the break firing and did not let up as they were able to find the back of the goal five times to stretch their advantage, 11-3. The Anteaters had an opportunity to score with their five-meter penalty shot that come up just short.
Fourth period: The Bruins continued to keep UC Irvine off the board until Lauren Hett registered a goal at 5:26. Layden added the last Anteater score before No. 1/1 UCLA converted on two 6-on-5's to take the 16-5 win.
- Hett (1) and Layden (1)