SANTA BARBARA, Calif. ? The 15th ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team split its two games at the UC Santa Barbara Mini-Tournament on Saturday afternoon in Santa Barbara. UCSD scored five times in the first quarter and rolled to a 12-4 win over Western Water Polo Association opponent, Redlands in the first game. In the afternoon game, the Tritons lost by a 5-3 score to tournament host, UCSB. After being shutout in the first half, UCSD pulled within one goal through three quarters but could not produce the game tying goal. UCSD is now 7-8 on the season. UCSD is back in action next weekend when it hosts WWPA opponent Colorado State on Thursday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m.
In the 12-4 win against Redlands, Judy Emaus scored twice in the first quarter, while Britta Nordstrom, Natalie Hockett and Sydney Gstettenbauer added scores.
In the second quarter, it was Sarah Bajorek's turn as she netted two scores and UCSD led by a comfortable 7-2 margin at the break.
UCSD shutout Redlands in the third frame as Hockett, Gstettenbauer and Bridgette Bugay scored.
In the fourth quarter, each team scored twice, with Gstettenbauer and Nordstrom scoring for the Tritons.
Against UCSB, the Tritons struggled to score in the first half, but remained within striking distance as they trailed by a 3-0 score at halftime.
In the third, Lauren Woods scored at the 2:35 mark and Bajorek pulled UCSD within 3-2 with :42 left.
In the fourth, trailing 4-2, Hockett scored at the 5:59 mark to pull UCSD back within one goal at 4-3. The teams would stay tied until UCSB put the game out of reach with a score at the 1:16 mark, winning 5-3.
