LOS ANGELES, Calif. - No. 12 UC Irvine women's water polo team fell to No. 2 UCLA, 15-10, on Saturday afternoon at Spieker Aquatics Center. 

The 'Eaters and Bruins each netted three in the first quarter to leave it tied up heading into the second frame. UCI struck first to take the lead before UCLA quickly tied it back up, 4-all. The Anteaters briefly pulled ahead once again before the Bruins netted two to take the lead, 6-5. UC Irvine tied it back up before UCLA took the lead once again on a penalty shot. The 'Eaters got one back before the Bruins netted the final two of the half to extend their lead, 9-7, at the horn. UCLA outscored UCI 4-1 in the third quarter to widen the gap, 13-8, heading into the fourth. The Anteaters and Bruins traded goals over the fourth quarter to seal the Bruins win, 15-10. 

BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Lauren Hett led the 'Eaters with three goals. Freshman Sydney Hagan and junior Annabelle Mundelius each netted two. 

Madi O'Hara, Vivian Bailey, and Michelle Urkov each added a tally. Junior Ella Walker recorded 12 saves. 

Bia Mantellato led the Bruins with four goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Bruins got on the board first before Madi O'Hara (5:35) and Sydney Hagan (4:34) netted back-to-back goals to take an early 2-1 lead. UCLA quickly capitalized on two power plays to pull ahead, 3-2, at the 4:22 mark. Lauren Hett converted on the man advantage (1:49) to tie it up, 3-3, at the end of the first period of action. 

Hett quickly found the back of the net at the 7:45 mark to put the 'Eaters ahead, 4-3. The Bruins netted the equalizer at the 7:26 mark to tie it up again, 4-4. Annabelle Mundelius added a tally (7:00) before the Bruins quickly netted two to take the lead, 6-5, at the 4:57 mark. Michelle Urkov found the back of the net at the 3:39 before UCLA capitalized on a five-meter attempt to retake the lead, 7-6, at the 2:25 mark. Mundelius netted one (1:25) before the Bruins added two more to end the half and widen the gap, 9-7. 

UCLA netted two quick goals to start the period and extend their lead, 11-7, at the 5:53 mark. Hagan found the back of the net on the man advantage at the 5:12 mark to cut the deficit, 11-8. The Bruins capitalized on a power play and added another tally to widen the gap, 13-8, heading into the fourth. 

Hett completed the hat trick as she converted on a five-meter attempt at the 7:11 mark before the Bruins netted one of their own to maintain their advantage, 14-9. Viviana Bailey added a tally at the 5:56 mark before UCLA scored the final goal to seal their victory, 15-10.  

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters kick off a six game home slate with the season home-opening Barbara Kalbus Invitational, Feb. 13-15. UC Irvine will face No. 1 Stanford in the opening round at 12 p.m. on Friday at Anteater Aquatics Complex.