Women's Water Polo 2/13/2016 9:11:00 PM UCSD

No. 19 UCSD Opens Triton Invitational With Big Win Over No. 17 Indiana, Falls to No. 2 USC

LA JOLLA, Calif. – The 19th-ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team took one of two in the first day of the 2016 Triton Invitational at Canyonview Aquatic Center.

The Tritons closed out Game One strong, scoring eight goals in the second half en route to an 11-3 victory over No. 17 Indiana. UCSD carried the momentum over to its second matchup of the day, going goal for goal with No. 2 USC before ultimately falling 15-8.

With the split, the Tritons move to 5-3 overall, while the Hoosiers are now 4-4 after bouncing back with a win against Santa Clara and the Women of Troy improve to 4-0 after winning both of their games.

GAME ONE

In the first match of the tournament, UCSD spread the offense as eight players scored, including one from utility player Hanna Schneider for her first collegiate goal. Seniors Julia Kirkland and Lauren Finwall and redshirt junior Alexis Wieseler leading the way with two scores apiece. Courtney Miller was impressive in the cage recording a season-high 20 stops.

The Tritons recorded the first goal of the game when Lauren Boyer scored on a powerplay. Wieseler and Laurel Kistler added two additionally unanswered scores to lead 3-0 through the first quarter.

After giving up Indiana's only score of the half in the second frame, UCSD netted four straight goals courtesy of Kayla Fedler, Lani Tittle and two from Kirkland in the third quarter.

Wieseler opened up the final period with a 5-meter score. After Indiana put one more point on the board, the UCSD fired back with back-to-back goals from Finwall and Schneider's first goal as a Triton with 1:14 left in play.

GAME TWO

The tournament gave USCD the opportunity for a rematch against USC after suffering a 17-4 loss just eight days earlier in Los Angeles. According to Head Coach Brad Kreutzkamp, confidence was a key factor in the Tritons' ability to keep the match close before falling just 15-8 to the nation's second-ranked team.

After USC opened with a score, Boyer fired off a quick response to tie the match up. That theme continued throughout the first quarter as Tittle and Kistler added goals of their own to keep the Women of Troy's lead to 5-3.

UCSD avoided being shutout in the second period when Kistler scored her third goal of the day with just under three minutes left in the half.

The Tritons continued to battle in the third frame as they opened the second half with two unanswered scores coming from Wieseler and Boyer.

Fedler and Chanel Schilling each found the back of the cage in the final quarter, but USC pulled away with four goals to secure the win.

UCSD will continue play in the two-day Triton Invitational Sunday at 9:50 a.m. against No. 11 UC Santa Barbara. The Tritons look to complete their annual home tournament with a fifth place finish.

GAME ONE BOX SCORE
UCSD 3 0 4 4 - 11
IND 0 1 0 2 - 3

Goals
UCSD: Lauren Finwall 2, Julia Kirkland 2, Alexis Wieseler 2, Lauren Boyer 1, Kayla Fedler 1, Laurel Kistler 1, Hanna Schneider 1, Lani Tittle 1