SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The No. 16 University of California San Diego women's water polo team split its first two games at the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invitational on Saturday.
UC San Diego (1-1) won its first game of the day, defeating Azusa Pacific, 9-8.
Junior Shelby Stender, senior Kayla Fedler and freshman Taylor Onstott each scored two goals in the victory, while freshman goalkeeper Bennett Bugelli recorded 10 saves. Freshman Grace Pevehouse finished with a team-high two assists, while Onstott and Stender tallied three steals apiece.
The Tritons converted 4-of-10 power play opportunities, and have now won three-consecutive season openers.
UC San Diego jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first quarter, but Azusa Pacific rallied in the second quarter and the Tritons led at halftime, 5-4. Each team scored two goals apiece in both the third and fourth quarters.
In the second game of the day, the Tritons fell short against No. 13 Indiana, 8-6.
Fedler led UC San Diego with four goals and three steals, while junior Krista Schneider recorded three assists.
The two teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the first quarter before Indiana outscored UCSD by two in both the second and third quarters to take a 7-3 lead after three. The Tritons outscored the Hoosiers 3-1 in the fourth quarter, but were unable to tie the score in the final minutes as they fell to 10-10 all time against Indiana.
Up next, UC San Diego continues play in the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invitational on Sunday when the Tritons take on No. 8 Michigan at 8 a.m., followed by No. 3 UCLA at 2 p.m.
Box Score
UC San Diego 9, Azusa Pacific 8
UCSD 4 1 2 2 — 9
Azusa Pacific 1 3 2 2 — 8
Goals
UCSD: Stender 2, Fedler 2, Onstott 2, Franke, Ransone, Pevehouse.
Azusa Pacific: Adams, Alcaraz Mireia, Bradley, Alvarez Mar 2, Harris.
Saves
UCSD: Gallaher 5, Bugelli 10
Indiana: Young 2
No. 13 Indiana 8, No. 16 UC San Diego 6
UCSD: 2 0 1 3 — 6
Indiana: 2 2 3 1 — 8
Goals
UCSD: Fedler 4, stender 1, Pevehouse 1.
Indiana: Young 3, Abarta 2, Powell, Nacouzi, Williams
Saves
UCSD: Gallagher 5, Bugelli 4.
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