IRVINE, Calif. - No. 10 UC Irvine women's water polo team defeated No. 14 UC San Diego, 14-10, in the first conference match up of the season on Friday night at Anteater Aquatics Complex. 

The 'Eaters netted two quick goals to take an early 2-0 lead. The Tritons got one back before UCI added two more to increase their lead, 4-1. Each team netted two more to end the first quarter with the Anteaters up, 6-3. UC San Diego outscored UCI 3-1 in the second to pull within one, 7-6, at the half. The 'Eaters netted three to open up the third and increase their advantage, 10-7. The Tritons found the back of the net twice before UCI got the final goal of the period to maintain the lead, 11-8, heading into the final frame. The Anteaters outscored UC San Diego, 3-2, in the fourth to seal the 14-10 victory. 

BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Lauren Hett led the squad with four goals. Michelle Urkov and Deirdre Murphy each secured the hat trick. 

Chloe Patist netted two while Sara Naulty and Mary Hassett each added one. Ella Walker recorded nine saves. 

Abigail Schechter led the Tritons with three goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: Lauren Hett kicked off the scoring at the 6:39 mark to give the 'Eaters and early 1-0 advantage. Mary Hassett found the back of the net, with help from Pippa Heaver, to boost the lead, 2-0. The Tritons got one back on a five-meter attempt before Hett netted one on a penalty shot of her own (5:12) to maintain the Anteaters advantage, 3-1. Michelle Urkov found the back of the net on the power play (4:11) before UC San Diego capitalized on another five-meter attempt to cut the lead, 4-2. Hett netted her third of the quarter on the man advantage (3:00) before Sara Naulty added a tally at the 2:27 mark to widen the gap, 6-2. The Tritons netted the final goal of the period to cut the 'Eaters lead, 6-3, at the horn. 

The Tritons netted the first goal of the period before Deirdre Murphy found the back of the net at the 5:54 mark to maintain the advantage, 7-4. UC San Diego capitalized on a penalty shot (4:03) before adding another tally at the 0:50 mark to pull within one, 7-6, at the half. 

Chloe Patist found the back of the net (5:04) before Murphy converted on the man advantage (4:15) to increase the 'Eaters lead, 9-6. Urkov added a tally on a five-meter attempt (3:50) before the Tritons netted two, with the first coming on the power play, to cut the Anteaters advantage, 10-8, at the 0:45 mark. Hett netted her fourth of the game on the man advantage (0:32) to put the 'Eaters back up by three, 11-8, heading into the fourth. 

UC San Diego netted their fourth penalty shot of the game at the 7:18 mark before the Anteaters went on a three-goal spurt to pull away. Urkov found the back of the net on the power play (5:38) before Murphy added a tally at the 4:01 mark. Patist capitalized on the man advantage at the 3:11 mark to widen the gap, 14-9. The Tritons netted the final goal of the game to seal the 'Eaters victory, 14-10. 

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters continue their home stand and conference action as they host No. 5 Hawai'i on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m., at Anteater Aquatics Complex.