IRVINE, Calif. - No. 11 UC Irvine women's water polo team fell to No. 1 Stanford, 15-6, in the first game of the Barbara Kalbus Invitation on Friday afternoon at Anteater Aquatics Complex. 

The Anteaters had trouble getting past the Cardinal defense early, which left them trailing 5-1 at the end of the first quarter. UC Irvine held Stanford to just two goals in the second period, while adding two of their own, to end the half with the Cardinal up, 7-3. The 'Eaters and Stanford traded goals over the third quarter to leave the Cardinal up, 10-5, heading into the final frame. Stanford outscored UCI 5-1 in the fourth, to seal the Cardinal victory, 15-6. 

BY THE NUMBERS: Sophomore Deirdre Murphy led the 'Eaters with two goals. Junior Ella Walker recorded eight saves and two steals. 

Sara Naulty, Chloe Patist, Madi O'Hara, and Michelle Urkov each added one tally. 

Junior Jenna Flynn led the Cardinal with four goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cardinal converted on the first possession of the game to take an early 1-0 lead. Pippa Heaver was whistled for a penalty foul and Stanford capitalized on the five-meter attempt to increase their advantage, 2-0, at the 6:29 mark. The Cardinal added a tally at the 4:26 mark to pad their lead, 3-0. The 'Eaters couldn't convert on a man advantage, but maintained possession and Deirdre Murphy got UCI on the board (3:44), with help from Vivian Bailey, to cut the deficit, 3-1. The Anteaters turned the ball over late, which led to a Cardinal goal with 0:02 remaining to increase their lead, 5-1, at the end of one. 

Sara Naulty took a penalty foul to start the period, but Ella Walker turned away the five-meter attempt by the Cardinal. The 'Eaters couldn't get a shot off and turned the ball over, leading to a Stanford goal at the 3:46 mark to increase their advantage, 6-1. Murphy netted her second of the game (1:46) with help from Chlose Patist on the man advantage to cut the deficit, 6-2. The Cardinal found the back of the net at the 1:21 mark before Michelle Urkov capitalized on a power play to cut the Stanford lead, 7-3, at the end of the half. 

The Cardinal netted two quick goals to start the third and pad their advantage, 9-3, at the 6:20 mark. Pippa Heaver was whistled for an exclusion which led to a Stanford power play goal at the 5:21 mark. Madi O'Hara found the back of the net, with help from Sydney Hagan, at the 3:52 mark to cut the deficit, 10-4. Mary Hassett was whistled for a penalty foul, but Ella Walker stopped the five-meter attempt by the Cardinal. Chloe Patist added a tally, with an assist from Hollis Muchoff, at the 0:58 mark, to cut the deficit, 10-5, at the end of the third. 

The Cardinal outscored the 'Eaters, 5-1, in the final frame. Naulty found the back of the net, with help from Michelle Urkov, at the 6:28 mark, to pull within four, 6-10. Annabelle Mundelius was whistled for an exclusion and Stanford capitalized on the man advantage to add to their lead, 11-6. They netted another before Murphy was called for a minor act of misconduct, which led to a power play goal for Stanford at the 3:48 mark. The Cardinal netted two more to end the game and seal their victory, 15-6. 

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters will face the loser of game two of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, No. 4 Cal or No. 5 Hawai'i, at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 14, at Anteater Aquatics Complex.