Women's Water Polo 2/16/2014 3:28:00 PM UCSD

No. 13 UCSD Closes Out Bison Invitational with a Pair of Victories

LEWISBURG, Pa. – No. 13 UC San Diego finished the Bison Invitational with consecutive victories over George Washington, 14-7, and No. 20 Wagner, 10-9, at Kinney Natatorium Sunday. Jolene Guiliana recorded a hat trick in game one before Courtney Miller blocked 15 shots in the second game to power the Tritons to the day sweep.

UCSD improves to 9-3 overall following the pair of victories.

The Tritons used a six-goal second period to take control of the game in the opener against George Washington. After leading 3-1 after the first period, UCSD opened the second with three straight scores from Guiliana, Lauren Finwall and Andie Nishimi to jump ahead 6-1. The Tritons tacked on three more goals in the period to lead 9-3 at the intermission.

UCSD closed out the game with five goals in the second half to finish out the 14-7 victory.

To complement the hat trick from Guiliana, the Tritons received a pair of scores from Emma Sasson, Laurel Kistler and Finwall, respectively. Allison Delgado, Karen Henry, Leah Gonzales, Lauren Boyer and Nishimi each scored a goal to round out the scoring for UCSD.

The Triton defense was spearheaded by Alexsee Wilcox in the cage, who recorded seven saves in the win.

The final game of the day saw six ties and two lead changes before UCSD earned the 10-9 win over No. 20 Wagner.

Down 2-1 early, the Tritons scored consecutive goals from Rachel Brooks and Melissa Bartow to grab a 3-2 lead at the end of one. Each squad found the back of the cage three times in the second quarter as the Tritons headed into halftime clinging to a one-goal lead, 6-5.

After each team exchanged goals, the score found itself 8-8 with 2:31 remaining in the third period. The Tritons closed the quarter with a score form Delgado that would put UCSD up for good as the final period approached.

An insurance tally from Delgado, which proved to be the game winner, was added on in the fourth with 2:01 remaining put the score 10-8 UCSD. Wagner scored to pull within one, but the Tritons finished out the win behind strong play in the cage.

Miller recorded 15 saves in the win, while Sarah Lizotte, Julia Kirkland, Brooks and Delgado led the offense with two goals apiece. Guiliana and Bartow added the final scores for UCSD in the win.

UCSD heads back to California to compete in the UC Irvine Invite at Anteater Aquatics Complex on Feb. 22-23. The Tritons will begin the tournament against Hawaii on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 11:45 a.m.

Box Game One
UCSD 3 6 3 2 - 14
GW 1 2 1 3 - 7
Goals
UCSD: Jolene Guiliana 3, Lauren Finwall 2, Emma Sasson 2, Laurel Kistler 2, Allison Delgado 1, Andie Nishimi 1, Karen Henry 1, Leah Gonzales 1, Lauren Boyer 1
Saves
UCSD: Alexsee Wilcox 7