LA JOLLA, Calif. — If Sunday's game was any indication, fans are going to enjoy the future of Big West Conference water polo.
The No. 21 University of California San Diego women's water polo team had its second-half rally fall short, as the Tritons dropped a thrilling home opener against No. 5 Hawai'i, 10-7, at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
Senior Chanel Schilling and junior Jessee Ransone scored two goals apiece for UC San Diego (1-4), while senior Krista Schneider and sophomore Grace Pevehouse each had two assists.
Sophomore Taylor Onstott had a goal with three steals, and sophomore goalkeeper Bennett Bugelli recorded six saves.
The Tritons fell behind by three at halftime, 5-2, but got a big boost of momentum one minute in the third quarter when sophomore Ciara Franke scored off an assist from Schneider to make it 5-3.
UC San Diego pulled within two again early in the fourth behind Ransone's goal on a pass from Pevehouse. An unassisted goal from Ransone later in the final period made it 8-6 with 5:32 remaining, but it was the closest the Tritons would get the rest of the way.
Hawai'i (7-1) was led by senior Irene Gonzalez, who finished with three goals an assist and five steals.
UC San Diego returns to action next weekend, as it hosts the Triton Invitational on Feb. 9-10 at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The Tritons take on UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 9 beginning at 12 p.m.
About UC San Diego Athletics
With 30 national team championships, nearly 150 individual titles and the top student-athlete graduation rate among Division II institutions in the United States, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program annually ranks as one of the most successful in the country. The Tritons sponsor 23 intercollegiate sport programs that compete on the NCAA Division I and II levels and, in summer 2020, will transition into full Division I status as a member of the Big West Conference. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent. A total of 80 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 36 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. In competition, more than 1,300 UC San Diego student-athletes have earned All-America honors.
Follow The Tritons
For complete coverage and information regarding UC San Diego Athletics, follow the Tritons online at UCSDtritons.com and through social media on Twitter (@ucsdtritons), Instagram (@ucsdtritons) and Facebook (ucsdtritons). In addition, you can follow UC San Diego women's water polo on Twitter (@ucsdwwp) and on Instagram (@ucsdwwp).
