IRVINE, Calif --- No. 6/6 UC Irvine fell to No. 3/3 UCLA 16-8 on the second day of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational Saturday at Anteater Aquatics Complex. 

The Bruins rushed out to a 3-0 lead after one period and maintained their lead all throughout the match. The 'Eaters struggled to solve the Bruins goalie, Lauren Steele, who made 14 saves. Taylor Smith led UCLA with four goals while Lauren Hett led the Anteaters with two goals and two assists. Libby Alexander and Grace Helberg both recorded multi-point games with a goal and a steal each. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Lauren Hett's two goals and two assists led the Anteaters
• Libby Alexander and Grace Helberg both notched a goal and a steal
• Nikola Thomas, Madi O'Hara, and Brooke Hourigan each contributed one goal
• Rachel Kirchner saved four and added two steals and one assist
• The 'Eaters out-shot the Bruins 33-27 and converted on four of their 12 power plays
• UCLA was led by Taylor Smith with four goals, one assist, and one steal

SCORING BREAKDOWN

• First Period: The Bruins took the opening sprint and converted on their first possession on the power play at 7:41. The 'Eaters fired two shots that were denied by Lauren Steele before UCLA took a 2-0 lead at the 6:24 mark. The Bruins found the back of the net again at 3:25 to end the period up 3-0. Rachel Kirchner had two big saves on consecutive possessions at the tail end of the period as the 'Eaters trailed 3-0.

Goals: none

• Second Period: UCLA came down and capitalized on their first possession to increase their lead 4-0. Libby Alexander opened the scoring for the 'Eaters at the 7:31 mark to cut the deficit 4-1. The Bruins drew the exclusion on the following possession and converted on the power play before they found the back of the net again at the 6:11 mark to increase their lead 6-1. Lauren Hett got the 'Eaters back on the board at 3:02 before UCLA got one back to maintain their lead 7-2. Lauren Hett set up Nioka Thomas on the power play to cut the lead 7-3. The Bruins drew the exclusion on the other end and converted on the power play for the 8-3 advantage. UCLA capitalized on the man advantage again to increase the lead 9-3. Madi O'Hara found the back of the net on the Anteater power play with just 0:01 left in the period to cut the deficit 9-4. 

Goals: Alexander (1) Hett (1) Thomas (1) O'Hara (1)

• Third Period: UCLA won the opening sprint of the half but couldn't convert. The 'Eaters were awarded a penalty shot and Gracie Helberg sank the shot to pull within four. The Bruins netted three, with two on the power play, to increase the advantage 12-5 at the 3:12 mark. Libby Alexander set up Lauren Hett with the extra attacker to break the Bruins momentum. A steal by Lauren Hett on one end set up Brooke Hourigan for the tally to cut the deficit 12-7. Rachel Kirchner and the Anteater defense came up big, stopping three Bruins shots to end the period. 

Goals: Helberg (1) Hett (1) Hourigan (1)

• Fourth Period: The Bruins won their fourth sprint of the match but were unable to convert, and neither did the 'Eaters on their first possession. UCLA was awarded a penalty shot and capitalized on the attempt to increase the lead 13-7 at the 6:04 mark. Deirdre Murphy beat the Bruins goalie on the man advantage with help from Gracie Helberg to get one back for the 'Eaters. The Bruins capitalized on their power play to maintain their lead 14-8 with 5:03 remaining. UCI fired two shots on net, but couldn't get past Lauren Steele before UCLA added another tally on the man advantage at the 1:55 mark. The Bruins added one more with 0:40 remaining to secure the 16-8 victory. 

Goals: Murphy (1) Helberg (1)

UP NEXT
The 'Eaters will face No. 10 UC San Diego at 4 p.m. later Saturday as part of Day Two at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.