LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 14th-ranked UC San Diego men's water polo team remained undefeated in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) as it defeated No. 13 Air Force, 12-7, Thursday at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
With the win, the Tritons are now .500 on the season at 10-10 and remain undefeated in WWPA games at 3-0. The Falcons drop to 6-13 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
The two teams struggled offensively in the beginning, coming up with empty possessions until senior utility Daniel Straub was able to score a goal for UCSD, coming off an assist by junior driver Nick Alexander with 3:41 remaining in the opening quarter. Air Force was able to tie the game on a power play from Robby Stiefel. With 15 seconds remaining, senior utility Chase Cockerill was able to find the back of the cage to give the Tritons a one-score advantage at the end of the opening period.
In the second frame, UCSD scored three unanswered goals from Cockerill, Alexander and junior utility Jack Ellinthorpe to take a 5-1 lead. The Falcons answered back with goals from Eric Curia and Garrett Fisk as the Tritons led by two at halftime.
The break didn't slow down Air Force, as the Falcons continued the offensive onslaught to start the third quarter with back-to-back goals from Fisk and Edward Smet to tie the game. After UCSD failed to capitalize on a man-up situation, Fisk put away his third goal of the match to give the Falcons their only lead of the game.
Straub and Alexander answered back as each scored goals on straight possessions, 40 seconds apart, to give the Tritons back the lead. After Ellinthorpe fired home a shot, Smet was able to find the back of the cage as the Falcons trailed by one after three quarters.
UCSD closed the game out with a statement, shutting out Air Force 4-0 in the final period. Straub scored twice and Alexander and Cockerill added one each to complete hat tricks for all three.
The Tritons got 12 goals from four different players. Straub led the way for the Tritons with a game-high and career-best four scores. Cockerill and Alexander had three each and Ellinthorpe added two.
Garrett Fisk led Air Force with three goals.
UCSD will have a day off before traveling to Loyola Marymount for another WWPA matchup on Saturday, Oct. 24. Game time is set for 12 p.m.
BOX SCORE
UCSD 2 3 3 4 - 12
AFA 1 2 4 0 - 7
Goals
UCSD: Daniel Straub 4, Chase Cockerill 3, Nick Alexander 3, Jack Ellinthorpe 2,
AFA: Garrett Fisk 3, Edward Smet 2, Eric Curia 1, Robby Stiefel 1
Saves
UCSD: Jack Turner 12
AFA: Max Benson 14
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