LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 8th-ranked UC San Diego men's water polo team won its first two games of the Triton Invitational to open the 2007 season. UCSD defeated No. 19 Pomona Pitzer 19-6 as Jeff Hunt led the way with four goals, while Sidd Menon and Steven Donohoe scored three apiece. UCSD's second match-up proved to be much tougher as the Tritons prevailed 15-14 over No. 17 Air Force. Daniel Garcia led all scorers with five goals, including the go-ahead goal in the fourth quarter, giving the Tritons the lead for good. UCSD is back in action tomorrow with an 11:45 match-up against 7th-ranked UC Santa Barbara. A win would put the Tritons in the championship game and a chance to defend their Triton Invitational title.
UCSD 19, Pomona Pitzer 6
The Tritons scored the first five goals of the game as Daniel Garcia (7:41), Jeff Hunt (4:04, 2:43), Curtis Williamson (3:25) and Ben Miller (2:12) netted scores. The Tritons would tack on two more goals before the end of the period to lead 7-2 after one.
UCSD;s Chance Vermilyea, Michael Libutti, Simon Schafer and Steven Donohoe scored goals in the second quarter and the Tritons led 11-3 at the break.
In the third quarter, Hunt and Donohoe scored two goals apiece and UCSD led 15-5.
In the fourth, Sid Menon, Sean Roberts (2) and Libutti scored to round out the scoring at 19-6 UCSD.
UCSD 15, Air Force 14
After the Tritons took a 3-2 lead after the first quarter, UCSD took a two goal lead at 5-3 on a Curtis Williamson goal. Air Force came back to tie the game at 5-5 at the 3:22 mark and took the lead at 7-6 with :43 left. Garcia tied the game before halftime with a strike at the :22 mark.
In the third quarter, UCSD opened up an 11-7 advantage on a Peter Gresham goal at the 3:58 mark. Air Force scored two unanswered to end the quarter and pull within 11-9.
Air Force continued to roll in the fourth quarter, scoring at the 6:37 and 5:49 marks to tie the game at 11-11. Garcia scored his fifth goal of the game with 5:34 to play, pushing UCSD ahead 12-11. The Tritons would add on goals at the 4:54 and 3:55 marks to take a three-goal lead. Air Force made one last push, scoring at the 1:11 and :30 marks to pull within 15-14. UCSD was able to run out the clock for the win.
