LONG BEACH, Calif. – It took an extra six minutes of action, but No. 8/8 UC Irvine came out on top 14-13 in overtime at Black and Blue rival No. 7/9 Long Beach State on Thursday evening.
 
Faith Tedesco was stalwart in the cage for the Anteaters as she collected a career high 19 saves. Lauren Hett came in clutch down the stretch scoring five of the last six goals for UCI including the game winner.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Libby Alexander notched the hat-trick with scores in the first three periods of the contest
• Maja Layden and Annabelle Mundelius followed with two goals each apiece
• Kili Skibby and Airian Grisham rounded out the scoring effort for UCI
• Eight other 'Eaters deposited a shot into the cage
• UCI was efficient with their shots, shooting at a 0.438 clip (14-32) to LBSU's 0.283 (13-46)
• Grisham dished out a game best three assists while Skibby, Brooke Hourigan, and Gabby Norris all had two
• Hett along with Helberg each stole the ball a team best two times
• UCI converted eight of their power play chances (8-11) while The Beach only scored on seven (7-12)
• No. 7/9 Long Beach State was led by Martina Cardona who recorded four goals on eight shots, had three assists, and two steals

SCORING BREAKDOWN

• First period: No. 7/9 Long Beach State found the back of the goal first with a cross cage shot at 7:03. No. 8/8 UC Irvine got on the board when they found Libby Alexander (5:42) at the top of the formation and then took the lead when Kili Skibby found Airian Grisham (2:34) for the quick flick while up a player. The Beach tied the contest in the last 50 seconds with a five-meter penalty shot, 2-2.
  • Alexander (1) and Grisham (1)
• Second period: Alexander (7:15) responded quickly with a back post tip in after the Beach goal at 7:30. Maja Layden (2:32) went close range for the 4-4 equalizer before Annabelle Mundelius (1:35) received the ball on the give and go for a 1-on-1 with the LBSU goalkeeper. After drawing an exclusion, the Beach took a timeout and drew up a play to tie the game at 0:53, 5-5.
  • Alexander (1), Layden (1), and Mundelius (1)
• Third period: No. 8/8 UC Irvine started the third stanza off strong with two straight goals, one from Alexander (6:20) and the other a tap in at the back post from Kili Skibby (4:15), to take the advantage. Layden's slot past the defense at 2:57 was sandwiched between two LBSU scores as UCI led, 8-7.
  • Alexander (1), Layden(1), and Skibby (1)
• Fourth period: Both squads went back and forth in the period. Lauren Hett (5:19, 0:13) took control of the offense in the final period of regulation. At the very last second No. 7/9 Long Beach State found the back of the cage to send the game to overtime, 10-10.
  • Hett (2)
• First Overtime: Hett stole the show as she powered from long range just 30 seconds into the first extra time period. Despite the LBSU equalizer at 1:58, the freshman put UCI right back in front with her deep lob into the upper right corner (0:51), 12-11.
  • Hett (2)
• Second Overtime: No. 8/8 UC Irvine built on their advantage when Gabby Norris found Mundelius (1:55) wide open in the center position. LBSU closed within one before Hett's (1:03) bounce off the water became the eventual game winner. The Beach added one more on a power play chance (0:48) and Faith Tedesco came up with a huge stop with six seconds on the clock for the UC Irvine victory, 14-13.
  • Hett (1) and Mundelius (1)

 
UP NEXT
No. 8/8 UC Irvine awaits their seeding in the Big West Championship (Apr. 26-28) held on the campus of UC Davis.