SANTA CLARA, Calif.  ?The 18th-ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team split two games on the first day of the Santa Clara Invitational on Saturday.  After hanging with No. 6 San Jose State, the Tritons dropped a 17-11 decision to the Spartans, despite four goals by Stephanie Heinrich.  UCSD rebounded to defeat Sonoma State by a 7-6 score in the afternoon game.  Sydney Gstettenbauer scored three times, including UCSD's last two goals of the game to clinch the victory.  The Tritons are now 8-15 this season.

In the 7-6 win over Sonoma State, SSU tied the game at 4-4 in the second quarter with 2:47 remaining.  Hanalei Crowell netted a goal just before halftime with :24 left to give the Tritons the lead at the break.  In the third quarter, Gstettenbauer scored with 4:20 left, pushing UCSD's lead to 6-4.  SSU would answer to come within one goal entering the fourth.  In the fourth, Gstettenbauer scored what would prove to be the game winner at the 6:34 mark for the two-goal lead.  SSU scored with 2:01 left to make it a one possession game.  The Triton defense forced a turnover with :31 remaining and earned the win.  Kirsten Bates, Rebecca Gearty and Jessica Tran also scored for UCSD.

In the 17-11 loss, UCSD trailed 5-1 after the first quarter but would score six times in the second quarter to trail 10-7 at halftime.  The high scoring Spartans scored six more goals to UCSD's two in the third quarter, taking a commanding 16- 9 lead into the fourth.  SJSU won the game 17-11.  Stephanie Heinrich scored four goals, two in the second quarter.  Rebecca Gearty and Sydney Gstettenbauer scored two times each while Kirsten Bates, Janice Aguilar and Hanalei Crowell all added scores.

UCSD completes action at the Santa Clara Invitational on Sunday, taking on Colorado State at 8:00 a.m. and Santa Clara at 2:40 p.m.