IRVINE, Calif. - No. 16 UC Irvine men's water polo fell to No. 10 UC San Diego, 9-8, in the final Big West match up of the regular season on Friday night at Canyonview Aquatic Center. 

Ethan Spoon opened up the scoring before the Tritons netted the next three to take the lead, 3-1, at the end of one. UCSD found the back of the net first in the second period before the 'Eaters netted four-straight to take a 5-4 lead. The Tritons found the equalizer with just 0:01 left to tie it up, 5-all, at the end of the half. UCI netted one before UCSD added two tallies to retake the lead, 7-6, at the end of the third. The Anteaters and Tritons traded goals over the fourth to leave UC San Diego up, 9-8. 

BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Wyley Dale led the 'Eaters with three goals. Sophomore Cole Francisco added one goal and three assists for a four-point outing. 

Alex Lopez, Samuel Otta, Ethan Spoon, and Johann Thrall each added a tally. Zayd Mahmoud recorded 10 saves. 

Sophomore Grant Kurtz led the Tritons with three goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: Ethan Spoon opened up the scoring at the 4:47 mark to give the 'Eaters a 1-0 advantage. The Tritons netted the next three to take the lead, 3-1, at the end of the first period of action. 

UC San Diego found the back of the net first in the second period before the Anteaters scored four-straight. Johann Thrall kicked off the run on the power play at the 6:14 mark before Cole Francisco added a tally at the 4:18 mark. Wyley Dale scored at the 2:53 mark before netting another with the man advantage at the 0:32 mark to take the lead, 5-4. The Tritons found the equalizer with just 0:01 left to tie it up, 5-all, at the horn. 

Alex Lopez capitalized on the power play to regain the lead, 6-5, at the 5:54 mark. UCSD took advantage of a power play of their own to tie it back up, 6-all, at the 5:38 mark. The Tritons found the back of the net to regain the lead, 7-6, at the end of the third period. 

The Tritons found the back of the net first before W. Dale netted his third of the game to put the 'Eaters within one, 8-7, at the 5:24 mark. UCSD added a tally at the 1:24 mark to increase their lead, 9-7. Samuel Otta found the back of the net on the power play to end the match, 9-8. 

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters are back at Anteater Aquatics Complex for Senior day on Sunday, November 9 at 12 p.m., for their final home game of the regular season as they host No. 7 San Jose State.