IRVINE, Calif. – UCI returns to the confines of the Anteater Aquatics Complex for four matches, starting with cross-town foe Concordia University Irvine (Mar. 12) and then take on Big West opponent RV CSUN on Friday Mar. 14.
 
Week Eight Notes
 
GAME SCHEDULE
Concordia University Irvine at No. 13/8 UC Irvine
Wednesday, March 12 | 6:00 PM | Anteater Aquatics Complex
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RV CSUN at No. 13/8 UC Irvine
Friday, March 14 | 12:00 PM | Anteater Aquatics Complex
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THIS WEEK'S STORYLINES
> UC Irvine enters the week ranked 13th in the CWPA Weekly Poll and eighth in the Association of College Water Polo Coaches poll
> UCI enters back into non-conference action on Wednesday Mar. 12 to take on cross-town foe Concordia University Irvine before welcoming RV CSUN to Irvine on Mar. 14
> Concordia University Irvine enters the contest with a 2-13 overall record, 0-3 in the Golden Coast Conference
> The Golden Eagles have dropped two straight contests, the first to La Salle, 16-10, and then to No. 20 San Diego State in CUI's home opener, 25-7
> CUI's last win came on Mar. 1 to Chapman, 12-11, in the Convergence Invitational
> The Golden Eagles will take on Bucknell Wednesday morning before heading over to UCI
> RV CSUN heads into Friday's contest with a 15-6 overall record, 0-2 in the Big West
> The Matadors have dropped two straight outings, both of them to league opponents in UC Davis (L, 17-11) and Hawai'i (L, 14-9)
> Additionally, their last two wins have come at a two-point margin, 14-11 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and 17-14 vs. No. 23 Villanova
> CSUN is paced by Dorottya Telek's 121 points followed by Anna Pal with 102
> Telek has 83 goals and 38 assists while leading the squad with 60 drawn exclusions and a second-best 41 steals
> Pal has 45 goals and 57 assists to go with a team-high 44 steals
> Erika Staine has played the most time in the cage for the Matadors, saving 82 shots in 12 games played

NOTES
> > UC Irvine went a perfect 2-0 in their opening week of conference, en route to their fifth straight win
> At Cal State Fullerton (W, 16-5)...
    -- Senior Nioka Thomas posted a career-high five goals
    -- Sophomore Vivian Bailey was also impressive, recording a career-high three goals on three shots
    -- Brooke Hourigan and Deirdre Murphy each scored two goals with Hourigan swiping a game-high four steals
    -- Sara Naulty, Lauren Hett and Kennedy East each added a goal
    -- Pippa Heaver had a team-best three assists
    -- Rachel Kirchner starts in the net and recorded 11 saves
    -- UCI scored 16 goals on 30 shots (.533), while the Titans could only convert 5-31 (.131)
> At No. 9/7 UC San Diego (W, 16-11)...
    -- Lauren Hett rattled off a career-best five goals
    -- Libby Alexander helped to fuel the UCI offense, going for five goal contributions with three goals and two assists
    -- The Anteater's defense was active as they took the ball away from the Tritons 16 times
    -- Kennedy East also chipped in a multi-goal performance with two
    -- Five Anteaters had one goal apiece
    -- Rachel Kirchner was a wall in the cage, stopping 10 shots to go with two steals
    -- Madi O'Hara alongside Hett and Alexander dished out two assists while drawing a game-high four exclusions
    -- Both Brooke Hourigan and East recorded a team-best three steals
    -- UCI shot 51.6 percent (16-31) in the game while converting 55.6 percent (5-9) of their powerplays
> Lauren Hett is the team leader at 46 points (29 goals, 17 assists) with Brooke Hourigan next at 38 tallies (18 goals, 20 assists)
> Nioka Thomas has 36 points on the season, tying the team-best in goals (29) and has dished out seven assists
> Kennedy East also sits above te 30-point threshold, tallying 32 on 22 goals and 10 assists
> Madi O'Hara leads the Anteaters with 30 drawn exclusions 
> Hett also holds the steal lead in steals (17) while East has the top-spot in field blocks (6)
> Rachel Kirchner has 76 saves in the cage through 16 games and Ella Walker has 27