IRVINE, Calif. - No. 10 UC Irvine women's water polo team defeated No. 23 California Baptist, 15-11, on Friday night at Anteater Aquatics Complex.

The Lancers had a 2-1 lead at the end of one, but the 'Eaters outscored CBU 3-2 in the second to leave it tied up 4-4 at the half. UCI had an explosive third quarter, outscoring the Lancers 7-3 to take an 11-7 lead heading into the final frame. Each team added four in the fourth to seal the Anteaters victory, 15-11.

BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Lauren Hett led the 'Eaters with five goals, while sophomore Deirdre Murphy netted the hat trick. 

Michelle Urkov added two tallies. Pippa Heaver, Sara Naulty, Chloe Patist, Gabbie Graniello, and Madi O'Hara each scored one. 

Emmie Ramirez led the Lancers with five goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: Pippa Heaver was whistled for exclusion, leading to a power play goal for the Lancers at the 6:26 mark to give them an early 1-0 lead. CBU committed a turnover, leading to a goal from Gabbie Graniello to even it up at the 2:46 mark. The Lancers netted one at the 1:43 mark to take a 2-1 lead at the end of one. 

Annabelle Mundelius stole the ball in the defensive end, leading to a goal from Sara Naulty, with help from Bella Calderon at the 5:40 mark. Lauren Hett found the back of the net on the man advantage (4:44) to give UCI a 3-2 lead. Hett was whistled for an exclusion, leading to a power play goal for the Lancers at the 3:31 mark to tie it up at 3-3. CBU netted another at the 1:55 mark to take the lead, 4-3. Michelle Urkov found the back of the net at the 1:39 mark, with help from Mary Hassett, to tie it back up, 4-4, at the end of the half. 

Sara Naulty was whistled for a penalty, leading to a goal on the five-meter attempt for the Lancers at the 7:08 mark. CBU committed a turnover, leading to a goal from Madi O'Hara, with help from Heaver, to tie it up, 5-5, at the 6:27 mark. Anya Frey stole the ball in the defensive end, setting up Heaver for a goal at the 5:18 mark, giving the 'Eaters a 6-5 lead. Deirdre Murphy drew an exclusion, setting up Hett for a goal on the man advantage at the 3:52 mark. Hett was credited with a steal in the defensive end, setting up Murphy for the tally, with an assist from Chloe Patist at the 3:14 mark. Urkov drew an exclusion and then converted on the power play (2:41) to boost the 'Eaters advantage, 9-5. UCI turned the ball over, leading to a goal for the Lancers at the 1:57 mark. Hassett drew an exclusion, leading to a goal on the man advantage for Hassett, with help from Hett, with 0:32 remaining to maintain UCI's lead, 10-6. Vivian Bailey was whistled for a penalty, leading to a goal on the five-meter attempt for the Lancers at the 0:13 mark. Lauren Hett added a tally with just 0:02 remaining to increase the 'Eaters lead, 11-7, at the horn. 

Chloe Patist drew a penalty, leading to a goal on the five-meter attempt for Hett at the 6:54 mark, boosting the lead 12-7. O'Hara stole the ball in the defensive end, leading to a goal from Patist at the 6:21 mark. Urkov was whistled for an exclusion, leading to a CBU goal on the power play (5:53), cutting the lead to 13-8. O'Hara was whistled for an exclusion, leading to a goal on the man advantage for CBU at the 4:03 mark. Murphy found the back of the net, with help from Madeline Kasper (3:39), before Hett added a tally, with an assist from Naulty (2:59), boosting the 'Eaters lead to 15-9. CBU netted two more (1:48, 0:02), with the first coming on the power play, but the Anteaters held on for the 15-11 victory.

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters are back in action on Sunday, March 22 at 10 a.m. as they face Harvard for their final home game of the season at Anteater Aquatics Complex.