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)

 
UP NEXT
UCI hosts the top team in The Big West, No. 2 Hawai'i on Apr. 5 at 7 p.m.