IRVINE, Calif.  ? The No. 16 UC San Diego women's water polo held off No. 13 UC Santa Barbara for a thrilling 8-7 victory at the UC Irvine Invitational Sunday. The Tritons finished 1-3 at the tournament over the weekend.

After UCSD took a 4-2 lead at the half, the Tritons and Gauchos each scored two goals in the third period. With the score moved to 6-4 entering the final eight minutes of play, UCSB tacked another goal just 29 seconds into the period. UCSD rallied right back with two scores to take an 8-5 lead and the Tritons held on to the victory despite two late goals from the Gauchos.

UCSD sophomore Audra Bloom, out of Nuevo, Calif., led the Tritons with three scores against UCSB. Senior goalkeeper Kim Hockett made ten saves in the victory Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the day the Tritons suffered an 11-10 overtime loss to No. 15 Michigan. UCSD junior Sydney Gstettenbauer led all scorers with four goals but the Wolverines prevailed on a goal with just 51 seconds remaining in the second overtime period.

The Tritons return to action on Saturday at home to face Cal State Bakersfield at 10 a.m. and Pomona Pitzer at 4 p.m.