LA JOLLA, Calif. - On a challenging day playing in its own Triton Invitational, the UC San Diego women's water polo team dropped a pair of matches at Canyonview Aquatic Center.

Ranked 12th in the latest national poll, the Tritons fell against No. 2 USC in the morning and returned to the pool in the afternoon to come up short against No. 9 Loyola Marymount.

With the losses, the team's record fell to 5-3 on the young season.   

For complete results and upcoming match-ups, visit the tournament page.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST USC
UC San Diego fell by a 19-12 count against the Trojans. USC scored the first three goals of the game and held a lead throughout, but the Tritons were able to keep it interesting.

Down by three early on, UC San Diego came right back with consecutive goals from Allie Bartholomew and Anna Fazioli, the latter coming on a power play.

The Trojans countered by netting five straight goals and moved ahead by an 8-2 count at the 5:47 mark of the second quarter.

UC San Diego made its biggest move of the game at the end of quarter two and into the third period. Trailing 11-5, a three-goal flurry had the Tritons back within three at 11-8. Abigail Schechter got things going with a power play score and Berkley Sinner followed at the 7:15 mark of the third. Schechter struck again at 6:35, burying a five-meter penalty shot.

The squads then quickly traded goals. USC's Emily Ausmus, who rang up seven points on six goals and an assist in the contest, scored at 6:16 of the third. The Tritons quickly answered as Evelyn Burns scored 15 seconds later, keeping it a three-goal game at 12-9.

Unfortunately, USC turned on the burners, scoring the game's next three goals, still in the third quarter, to move in front by six at 15-9.

In the fourth frame, the Trojans regained a seven-goal lead when Sofia Umeda scored at 4:56 to make it 18-11. UC San Diego scored once more when Caitlin Stayt made good on a power play opportunity, but the final goal of the game went to USC on an extra-player opportunity with 2:05 remaining on the clock.

Stayt finished with three goals, the second hat trick of her freshman season.

Five Trojans scored multiple times in the game.

UC San Diego tested its goalkeeper lineup as three Tritons had time in the net. Bria Zwaschka, Makana Fake, and Nola Palestrant combined for seven saves.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST LMU
UC San Diego led for a majority of the game but Loyola Marymount was able to tie it late in the third quarter and go on to score the game-winner with just under four minutes left in the game.

The Tritons started strong as Abigail Schechter and Evelyn Burns put them up 2-0 in the opening quarter with successful five-meter penalty shot goals. In the second stanza, Schechter scored again and Alexa Kraaijvanger's goal with three seconds left had UC San Diego in front 4-1 heading into the halftime break.

In the third quarter, LMU started chipping away at the Triton lead. Trailing 5-2 following another Burns penalty shot goal, the Lions put three straight scores on the board. Chelsea Isaac's goal at 4:54 of the third tied the game at 5-5.

The fourth quarter featured five goals, the first four going back and forth. Olivia Obando and Kenya Cassidy contributed one apiece for UC San Diego. the Lions tied it at 7-7 when Emison Styris scored at 6:27.

LMU netted the game winner when Sophia DeMattia converted a power play opportunity at 3:51.

Bria Zwaschka was solid in goal for UC San Diego, finishing with a career-high 15 saves. She also recorded a pair of steals. Counterpart Madison Searle had 13 stops for Loyola Marymount.

UP NEXT
The Triton Invitational concludes Sunday. UC San Diego takes on 11th-ranked UC Irvine in the seventh place game at 9:30 a.m.

USC and No. 3 UCLA battle for the tourney title at 1:30 p.m.

Tourney tickets are available through the Triton Box Office.
 

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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.