IRVINE, Calif. --- No. 10 UC Irvine women's water polo went to 3-2 in Big West play with a 17-5 victory Thursday night at Anteater Aquatics Complex vs. Cal State Fullerton

A tight match through the first period as UCI led 5-3 fueled by four Lauren Hett goals, but the defense announced its presence shutting out the Titans for a 24:01 stretch of the match as nine other 'Eaters followed Hett's lead with scores as UCI netted four each in the final three frames toward a 17-5 win.

BY THE NUMBERS: 
Lauren Hett led all scorers doing all her damage in the first quarter scoring four times

Nine other Anteaters netted goals with Anya Frey putting home three and two-goal games from Michelle Urkov and Deirdre Murphy. Hett and Sara Naulty each had two assists, Murphy led the team with three exclusions drawn, and Gabbie Graniello, Vivian Bailey, and Ella Walker each stole the ball twice

Cal State Fullerton got five goals from five different Titans – Jade Lonzo, Delaney Lathem, Kenzie Searle, Lotte Boxsem, and Sofia Moschetti.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 'Eaters got on the board first at 6:38 in the first from Lauren Hett. Fullerton quickly tied it at 6:13, 1-1, before a pair of goals by Hett and Deirdre Murphy opened up a 3-1 lead at 4:53. Fullerton drew within 3-2 on a powerplay at 4:13, but Hett answered with her third of the game for a 4-2 lead at 3:48. The sides traded goals in the final two minutes with Michelle Urkov scoring for the 'Eaters to end the quarter ahead, 5-3. Ella Walker assisted on a pair of goals and pulled down one save in the period

Madi O'Hara got the scoring going quickly just 16 seconds into the period rolling one in on a pass from Hett to lead, 6-3. Hett got another goal of her own off the outstretched goalie fingertips followed by a Gabbie Graniello strike to lead 8-3, and the 'Eaters commanded the opening minutes of the period not allowing a shot for the first four possessions. Murphy added another goal at the 1:48 mark for a 9-3 lead on a sideline pass by Urkov as the 'Eaters finished out a shutout period, 4-0.

Both offenses missed attempts in the first minutes of the second half before Jess Reagan slid one under the keeper at the 6:11 mark to go up, 10-3. Chloe Patist rose up for a field block on the defensive end, while on the other end had two of her shots saved. Urkov finally got it to go at 3:33 after four blocks by the Titans to make it an 11-3 game. Sydney Hagan got on the sheet with a shot off and through the goalie at 1:05 in the quarter, and Charley Birdsall hit another with eight seconds remaining for a 13-3 lead.

Anya Frey whipped in a shot a minute into the fourth quarter, and the defense stopped a Fullerton power play helped by an Annie Peak save who came in at the half. Marisol Cowles made a penalty shot, but an error on made her retake the shot and she sailed it high of the net. Frey got her back in the next possession scoring from center position for a 15-3 lead at 4:54. Murphy got another field block for the 'Eaters who kept their shutout alive as Hollis Munchoff added another tally to make it 16-3 with 4:08 to play. The shutout streak ended with a Fullerton goal at 2:32 left ending the streak at 24:01. Each team got another tally in the final minutes to finish out the match at 17-5

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters finish their week on Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m. as they host California Baptist at Anteater Aquatics Complex.