Anteaters Take Down UCSB, 10-7

Friday, March 29

Santa Barbara, CA

12 p.m.

UC Irvine

13-9

UC Santa Barbara

13-9

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
UC Irvine	2	3	2	3	10
UC Santa Barbara	2	2	2	1	7

Anteaters Take Down UCSB, 10-7

March 29, 2024 | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

By: Jordan Kehoe

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The momentum swing in the second period powered No. 8/9 UC Irvine to a 10-7 victory over No. 15/15 UC Santa Barbara in a Friday matinee at Santa Barbara High School.

After finding themselves down in a two-goal deficit, the Anteaters responded with three unanswered to reclaim the lead in the contest that started with a five-meter penalty conversion from Libby Alexander.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Alexander, Kennedy East, and Lauren Hett each scored two goals in the contest
Jensine Bugelli, Madi O'Hara, Sara Naulty, and Gabby Norris all had one goal apiece
Alexander was also a game leader in assists with two
Senior Faith Tedesco blocked eight attempts at the cage and totaled two steals
Norris chipped in two takeaways
Kili Skibby drew a game high two exclusions while dishing out an assist
UCSB went 4-10 on power play chances while UCI went 3-10
No. 15/15 UC Santa Barbara was led by Aidan Flynn who recorded two goals on two shots along with an assist, a drawn exclusion, and a steal

SCORING BREAKDOWN

First period: No. 8/9 UC Irvine went up two goals early with a shot at the top of the formation from Libby Alexander (5:03) which was followed by a strike on the far side by Kennedy East (4:02) just a minute later. No. 15/15 UC Santa Barbara worked to draw exclusions inside allowing them to place two into the cage while up a player (3:34, 0:39), 2-2.
- Alexander (1) and East (1)
Second period: The Gauchos continued their run with two unanswered goals at 7:17 and 6:39 to jump ahead, 4-2. The Anteaters were back in the game as Alexander converted the five-meter penalty (6:13). UC Irvine's momentum extended through Jensine Bugelli's (5:26) quick flick at the two-meter off the corner throw set play and Madi O'Hara's (3:51) slam at the back post to take the 5-4 advantage into the halftime break.
- Alexander (1), Bugelli (1), and O'Hara (1)
Third period: After corralling the ball on the opening sprint, Lauren Hett (7:51) was the recipient of the pass as she was sprinting down the pool, burying it into the back of the cage. UCSB stopped their drought (7:05 and 4:19) as they continued to capitalize on power play opportunities. Gabby Norris broke the deadlock with 25 seconds remaining on the clock when she snuck the ball in on the near post, 7-6.
- Hett (1) and Norris (1)
Fourth period: Hett knocked down a penalty shot (6:12) before Sara Naulty (4:44) found the nearside for the deflection into the cage (4:44). UCSB made it interesting as they drew within two points after converting on the play they drew up during the timeout at 1:03. East put the game on ice with her score with 21 ticks left to hand UCI the 10-7 win.
- East (1), Hett (1), and Naulty (1)