LA JOLLA, Calif. - The No. 12 University of California San Diego women's water polo team had a solid all-around performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 5-seed Sonoma State, 11-1, in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championship semifinals at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
With the victory, No. 1-seeded UC San Diego (23-11) advances to Sunday's WWPA tournament final against No. 2-seed Cal State East Bay beginning at 1 p.m. The Tritons will attempt to win the WWPA crown for the sixth consecutive season and seventh time in the last eight years.
Freshman Robyn Carter (San Diego/The Bishop's School) led the Tritons in scoring for the second straight day, finishing with a game-high three goals. Fellow freshman Sydney Boland (La Jolla/La Jolla HS) added a goal with three assists, sophomore Jessee Ransone scored two goals, junior Maddy Wieseler had three assists, and freshman goalkeeper Bennett Bugelli (La Jolla/La Jolla HS) recorded a career-high 13 saves in three quarters played to earn the victory.
UC San Diego (23-11) shrugged off a slow start by scoring four goals in the second period to take a 5-1 halftime advantage. Carter, Ransone, junior Carly Innis and junior Halley Atkinson (Escondido/Mission Hills HS) each had one goal in the quarter.
Senior Colleen Ratcliff's (Jamul/Valhalla HS) goal to begin the second half was followed by scores from Ransone and senior captain Kayla Fedler, as the Tritons led 9-1 after three quarters.
WWPA Championship Semifinals
No. 1 UC San Diego 11, No. 5 Sonoma State 1
Score By Quarters
SSU: 1 0 0 0 - 1
UCSD: 1 4 4 2 - 11
Goals
SSU: Taylor Brown.
UCSD: Robyn Carter 3, Carly Innis 2, Jessee Ransone 2, Halley Atkinson, Sydney Boland, Kayla Fedler, Colleen Ratcliff.
Saves
SSU: Lisa Rodarmel 10, Brooke Sullivan 3.
UCSD: Bennett Bugelli 13, Tori Rainone 3.
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