IRVINE, Calif. - Sarah Lizotte's hat trick and a pair of goals by
Katherine Biehle weren't enough, as No. 20 Long Beach State edged the No. 19 UC San Diego women's water polo team 8-7 in the Tritons' final game of the UC Irvine Invitational on Sunday evening at Corona del Mar High School.
UCSD also fell to No. 13 UC Davis 14-6 in the first game of the day. The Tritons move to 7-7 overall on the season.
The Tritons held a 6-5 advantage heading into the fourth quarter against LBSU, but the 49ers outscored UCSD 3-1 in the final stanza to escape with a one-goal victory. Allison Delgado and Melissa Bartow each tallied a goal while goalkeeper Allie Taylor stopped 12 shots in goal.
UCD took care of its opportunities in 6-on-5 opportunities in the opening game, going a perfect 6-for-6 with a man advantage in the contest. Alicia Began's first half hat trick helped the Aggies jump out to a 7-4 advantage before UCD pulled away with a five-goal third quarter. Jessica Tran registered a pair of scores while Kirsten Bates, Collette Gulick, Lizotte and Biehle each pitched-in a goal. Taylor posted four saves.
No. 3 UCLA upset top-ranked Stanford 5-4 to take the tournament championship. No. 2 USC defeated No. 4 Cal for third place.
UCSD plays three games next weekend in Northern California, starting with a Western Water Polo Association bout at Sonoma State at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2. The following day, the Tritons will attend the Davis Shootout where they will face Pacific and UC Davis at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.
