LA JOLLA, Calif. – No. 6/8 UC Irvine dominated on offense, using three six-goal periods, to power past No. 22 California Baptist, 22-10, in the opening game of the Triton Invitational.
 
The Anteaters had four-goal games from both center Maja Layden and attacker Lauren Hett. It is only the second hat-trick of Layden's career at UCI and the third straight contest where Hett has poured in four tallies.
 
It is the program's 18th 20-point game and the third against the Lancers.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Freshman Deirdre Murphy notched a hat-trick in the win, the first of her career
• Libby Alexander, Mary Hassett, and Nioka Thomas all finished with two goals apiece
• Kennedy East, Gracie Helberg, Brooke Hourigan, Sara Naulty, and Madi O'Hara rounded out the scoring, each adding a goal
• UCI has won 22 straight against California Baptist

SCORING BREAKDOWN

• First period: No. 6/8 UC Irvine was the first to find the back of the cage off a Libby Alexander rip just 17 seconds into the contest. After the score went even, the Anteaters used contributions from Madi O'Hara (6:06) and Brooke Hourigan (5:35) to reclaim the lead, 3-2. The Lancers went on a two-goal stint to equalize 3-3 at 4:00 before both sides went blow for blow as CBU eventually jumped in front, 6-5, with 44 ticks left. UCI worked quick just ten seconds later as Nioka Thomas (0:35) hit the back of the net to end the action tied 6-all.
  • Thomas (2), Alexander (1), Helberg (1), Hourigan (1), and O'Hara (1)
• Second period: It was all Anteaters in the second period, adding six goals onto a 7-0 run that was started at the end of the first quarter and held No. 22 California Baptist off the board for a 12-6 lead at the end of the first half.
  • Murphy (2), Alexander (1), East (1), Hassett (1), and Layden (1)
• Third period: After two more 'Eater tallies, a five-meter penalty make by CBU at 6:09 stopped an overall 9-0 UCI run. Each side tacked on two more, the last by the Lancers with 17 seconds left in the third stanza as the Anteaters remained in front, 16-9.
  • Hett (2), Hassett (1), and Naulty (1)
• Fourth period: The offensive onslaught continued for No. 6/8 UC Irvine as they poured in six more goals in the final eight minutes. The Anteaters utilized three power play chances to put the ball into the back of the cage. UCI's defense stood strong to only allow one goal in the period, handing the 'Eaters a 22-10 win.
  • Layden (3), Hett (2), and Murphy (1)

 
UP NEXT
UCI continues Triton Invitational action on Saturday afternoon with a 12:30 p.m. start against either No. 10 Long Beach State or No. 18 San Diego State.