UCSD Defeats Cal State East Bay in Overtime; Finishes Conference Play With Perfect Record

HAYWARD, Calif. - With nine seconds left in regulation, Laurel Kistler scored the tying goal on an assist from Julia Kirkland to send the game into overtime. There the UC San Diego women's water polo team recorded two goals to win 15-13 against Cal State East Bay on Sunday at Pioneer Pool.

The Tritons improve to 16-17 overall and finish play in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) with a perfect 3-0 record.

After CSUEB opened the match with a goal, the Tritons recorded three unanswered scores with two goals from Kirkland and one from Kistler. But the Pioneers were able to cut their deficit to one as they scored in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Lani Tittle scored on the Tritons first possession in the second period, and Lauren Finwall added one minutes later to put UCSD up, 5-2. With back-to-back goals from Emma Sasson, the Tritons took their largest lead of the match with a 7-3 advantage. But the Pioneers edged their way back as they entered the half down 8-7.

In the third quarter, CSUEB took its first lead since scoring the opening goal of the match. But the Tritons tied the game at 10 apiece at the end of the frame.

After Sasson put the Tritons up 12-11, the Pioneers score two straight goals to take the lead. Just when it looked like CSUEB was about to take the win, Kistler sent the game into overtime scoring the tying goal with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Courtney Miller and the UCSD defense was stellar in overtime as they held CSUEB scoreless. Miller finished the day with nine saves.

In overtime, Jolene Guiliana put the Tritons ahead 14-13 and Kistler later added another goal to secure the 15-13 victory for UCSD.

Three Tritons recorded hat tricks on Sunday while Kistler was the top scorer with four goals.

UCSD 3 5 2 3 1 1 - 15
CSUEB 2 5 3 3 0 0 - 13
Goals
UCSD: Laurel Kistler 4, Emma Sasson 3, Julia Kirkland 3, Lani Tittle 2, Lauren Finwall 2, Jolene Guiliana 1
CSUEB: Tori Dettloff 5, Alyssa Hess 3, Taylor Cross 2, Jenn Lightbody 1, Casey Rushforth 1, Nayiri Kechichian 1
Saves
UCSD: Courtney Miller 9
CSUEB: Marrina Nation 9