IRVINE, Calif. – No. 6/6 UC Irvine played the final match of the opening day of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational Friday at Anteater Aquatics Complex pulling out a 15-14 victory over LMU.
 
The 'Eaters rushed out to a 7-2 lead after one period and led by six goals entering the fourth before a mad dash late by LMU close it to a one-goal game. Libby Alexander scored four goals to lead the team including eventually the decisive goal in the fourth. Nioka Thomas had a hat trick and two steals as 1 of 5 Anteaters with three-point games
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Libby Alexander's four goals lead the Anteaters
• Nioka Thomas with three and Kennedy East scoring two also had multi-goal games for UCI
• Single-goal scorers included Lauren Hett, Gracie Helberg, Madi O'Hara, Pippa Heaver, Mary Hassett, and Payton Pierson
• Ella Walker saved eight shots and added a steal
• The 'Eaters assisted on 12 of their 15 goals with four players contributing two
• Pierson joined Thomas with two-steal games
• The 'Eaters converted 7-of-8 power plays. Madi O'Hara drew a team-high three exclusions. The penalty kill allowed two goals on seven chances.
• LMU's Ruth Arino Ruiz had five goals, five assists, and four steals to lead the opponents

SCORING BREAKDOWN

• First period: The 'Eaters took the opening sprint, but were unable to convert, and neither did LMU on their opening possession. Nioka Thomas opened the scoring at 6:51 from center to lead 1-0. Ella Walker made a nice double save helped by a field block on the third attempt on the ensuing possession, and Lauren Hett doubled the lead on the other end, 2-0, at 5:54. LMU got on the sheet at 5:37, but the 'Eaters answered back with the next two by Libby Alexander for a 4-1 lead halfway through the first period. Thomas netted her second of the period at 2:03 to grow the lead to 5-1. UCI converted on the power play at 1:02 from Payton Pierson, and Pippa Heaver closed out the scoring with two seconds left in the period to finish the first up 7-2.
  • Thomas (2), Alexander (2), Hett (1), Pierson (1), Heaver (1)
• Second period: The Lions came down and opened the scoring in the quarter at 6:52 to close to within 7-3. 'Eaters got the power play and missed the first chance, but Mary Hassett buried the rebound to lead 8-3 at 6:18, and Libby Alexander added to it to go up 9-3. Walker made a fingertip save on the penalty kill but let one sneak by at 4:19 to make it 9-4. Kennedy East got the 'Eaters back on the board converting a penalty at 3:57. LMU countered at 3:44 from long-range to bring it back to a five-goal game. Thomas buried a shot from center to go up 11-5 with 1:07 left in the half. LMU got it back with 31 seconds in the half on a penalty to make it 11-6. LMU made a charge as the half came to an end with the defense redirecting an entrance pass as the horn ended.
  • Hassett (1), Alexander (1), East (1), Thomas (1)
• Third period: The half started with an LMU sprint win and goal 21 seconds in. Both sides threw the ball away and smacked the woodwork on shots before the 'Eaters got one in at 6:07 long-range from East to make it 12-7. Nioka Thomas made the athletic half-tank steal and drive to draw the penalty, and Gracie Helberg sunk the shot to go up 13-7. Madi O'Hara kept the scoring going at 2:43 left in the frame followed by Hassett drawing the penalty that missed off the post. LMU would respond on the other end to draw within 14-8. Lions went on a power play in the period's final possession met with a resounding field block from Hassett.
  • East (1), Helberg (1), O'Hara (1)
• Fourth period: UCI won the fourth quarter sprint, but LMU played defense and got the opening score in the frame just inside the first minute of play. They went on a run with goals 4:23, 3:30, and 2:38 to bring it to within 14-12. The 'Eaters finally got on the fourth-quarter board with a skip shot by Alexander for her fourth at 2:05. The Lions got it back just 17 seconds later, and drew within one goal with a power play strike with 55 seconds left in the fourth. LMU had a chance to tie with 21 seconds left in regulation, but a shot as time expired was tipped high for the 15-14 final score
  • Alexander (1)

 
UP NEXT
The Anteaters take on No. 3/3 UCLA in the first of two games on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. as part of Day Two at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.