IRVINE, Calif. --- It came down to the wire as No. 6/6 UC Irvine fell to No. 10 UC San Diego 12-11 in their final match on the second day of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational Saturday at Anteater Aquatics Complex. 

The 'Eaters jumped out to a 4-3 lead after one period, but fell behind 8-6 after the second period when UCSD scored four unanswered and maintained the lead for most of the match. The Tritons were led by Caroline Christl's seven goals while Brooke Hourigan's hat trick and two assists led the Anteaters. Kennedy East, Grace Helberg, and Sara Naulty each netted two for UCI. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Brooke Hourigan's three goals and two assists lead the 'Eaters
• Kennedy East, Grace Helberg, and Sara Naulty tallied two goals each. Naulty and East both added an assist 
• Lauren Hett added one goal and two assists and two steals
• Nioka Thomas rounded out the scoring for UCI with one goal and added three steals
• Rachel Kirchner saved five and contributed two steals
• The 'Eaters out-shot the Tritons 38-30 
• Caroline Christl led the UCSD with seven goals and one assist 

SCORING BREAKDOWN 

• First Period: The Tritons took the opening sprint but were unable to get their shot past Rachel Kirchner in net. Brooke Hourigan opened up the scoring with help from Kennedy East to give the 'Eaters the early 1-0 lead. Kennedy East converted on a shot of her own, set up by Pippa Heaver on the man advantage at the 4:46 mark. UCSD capitalized on the power play to get on the board at the 3:41 mark. The 'Eaters were awarded a penalty shot and Brooke Hourigan netted her second of the period to increase the lead 3-1. The Tritons answered with two tallies of their own, including one on the power play, to tie it at 3-all. The 'Eaters responded with East's second of the period, assisted by Lauren Hett to end the frame up 4-3. 

Goals: Hourigan (2), East (2)

• Second Period: UCSD took the opening possession but Nioka Thomas quickly stole the ball to set up Brooke Hourigan for the goal, to increase the lead 5-3. The Tritons came back with a tally of their own before Sara Naulty found the back of the net on the power play to maintain the Anteater lead 6-4. UCSD was awarded a penalty shot and capitalized on the attempt to cut the lead 6-5 at the 4:53 mark. The Tritons added three more, including two on the power play, to take the lead, 8-6 at the end of the period. 

Goals: Hourigan (1), Naulty (1)

• Third Period: The Tritons won the opening possession and capitalized on the man advantage to increase their lead 9-6. The 'Eaters quickly responded when Lauren Hett found the back of the net to cut the deficit 9-7 at the 6:34 mark. The Tritons converted on the power play twice before Hett set up Nioka Thomas to pull within three, 11-8, at the 4:40 mark. Gracie Helberg netted one on the man advantage before she found the back of the net again to cut the deficit to just one, 11-10, at the horn. 

Goals: Helberg (2), Hett (1), Thomas (1)

• Fourth Period: UC Irvine won the final sprint of the match, but were unable to capitalize on the opening possession. Sara Naulty opened up the scoring at the 5:21 mark to tie it up at 11-all. Neither team could capitalize on an opportunity before the Tritons found the back of the net at the 1:06 mark to secure the 12-11 victory. 

Goals: Naulty (1)

UP NEXT 
The 'Eaters take on No. 8 Long Beach State on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Anteater Aquatics Complex as part of the final day at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.