Box Score LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Anteaters could not get going offensively, falling to No. 1/1 UCLA, 17-7, in the first semifinal contest of the tournament.
 
Sophomore attacker Lauren Hett continues to be the machine that powers the 'Eater attack, leading the team with two goals.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Charley Birdsall contributed her first goal of the year
• Pippa Heaver has scored in two straight games
• Seven goals are the fewest by the Anteaters this season

 
SCORING BREAKDOWN

• First period: No. 6/8 UC Irvine saw themselves down by two to open the game, but the Anteaters were able to draw a foul that led to a scoring opportunity for Gracie Helberg at 2:09. Two more hit the back of the cage for No. 1/1 UCLA as they led, 4-1.
  • Helberg (1)
• Second period: The Bruins put away three more unanswered before Brooke Hourigan (2:47) found the back of the cage. Hourigan inspired the UCI offense as Lauren Hett converted on the five-meter (1:01) and again with 16 seconds left in the half after an exclusion call, trailing 9-4.
  • Hett (2) and Hourigan (1)
• Third period: UCLA just kept powering with four straight scores. The 'Eaters stopped the bleeding temporarily with makes from Pippa Heaver (2:10) and Kennedy East (1:08), but the Bruins found the cage again at 0:50 to push their advantage back out to 14-6.
  • East (1) and Heaver (1)
• Fourth period: UCI was outscored in the final eight minutes of the contest, 3-1. The Anteaters did not see a score until under three minutes left, a continuing theme from the previous three periods, until Charley Birdsall's shot went in at 2:20. UCLA added one final tally after to claim the 17-7 victory.
  • Birdsall (1)

 
UP NEXT
The Anteaters are set to face No. 5/5 Hawai'i in the third-place game on Sunday Feb. 2 at 12:10 p.m. to close out the Triton Invitational.