LA JOLLA, Calif. - No. 12 UC San Diego women's water polo team split the day as they defeated No. 19 Marist, 11-5, in the first game of the 2015 Triton Invitational at Canyonview Aquatic Center on Saturday, but fell 10-7 to No. 6 UC Irvine.

Julia Kirkland, who scored six on Thursday night against Hartwick, recorded a hat trick in both games and Laurel Kistler earned a hat trick of her own in the first game.

The Tritons got off to a 3-1 lead in the first quarter of the opening game behind goals from Emma Sasson, Jolene Guiliana and Kistler.

Marist attempted a comeback in the second period, but UCSD added another three to hold a 6-4 advantage at the half.

In the second half, the Red Foxes proved to be no match for the Tritons stout defense, in which Courtney Miller only allowed one goal. Miller finished the first game with 12 saves.

In the final game of the night, the Tritons looked posed to upset a top-10 opponent. UCSD and UC Irvine rallied back and forth for entire first set. But the Anteaters scored the last goal of the first frame which was the beginning of their 4-1 run.

Still Guiliana found the back of the cage with 1:07 left in the half to cut the Tritons deficit to two.

UCSD came out fast in the final half as back-to-back goals by Alexis Wieseler and Kirkland tied the match up at 6 apiece. Unfortunately, the Tritons couldn't pull ahead as UC Irvine shut them out in the final frame to secure a 10-7 win.

UCSD will start the second day of the Triton Invitational with a matchup between crosstown foe San Diego State at 9:50 a.m. The winner of that match will advance to the fifth place game.

Game One Box Score
UCSD            3          3         3          2          -           11
MARIST         1         3          1          0          -            5
Goals
UCSD: Julia Kirkland 3, Laurel Kistler 3, Jolene Guiliana 2, Emma Sasson 1, Kayla Fedler 1, Alexis Wieseler 1
MARIST: Anna-Lena Hathaway 2, Diana Carballo 1, Hannah Levien 1, Jessica Hamby 1
Saves
UCSD: Courtney Miller 12

Game Two Box Score
UCSD         2          2         3          0          -           7
UCI             3          3         2          2          -           10
Goals
UCSD: Julia Kirkland 3, Alexis Wieseler 2, Emma Sasson 1, Jolene Guiliana 1
UCI: Mary Brooks 4, McKenna Mitchell 3, Danielle Warde 1, Gabby Pierandozzi 1, Cambria Shockley 1
UCSD: Courtney Miller 14

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