SAN DIEGO - The 16th-ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team earned a pair of one-goal victories Sunday, topping No. 9 Indiana 11-10 in the morning and returning to the pool in the afternoon to edge out No. 18 San Jose State 13-12.
Both games were part of San Diego State's Aztec Invite and were played at the Aztec Aquaplex.
The Tritons improved to 9-10 on the season with the double wins.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST INDIANA
The back and forth game saw the teams exchange leads throughout the four periods.
Caitlin Stayt led UC San Diego with four goals, while Keira Blitzer did the same for Indiana.
The first quarter set the tone, ending in a 3-3 draw. The second period saw Indiana pull ahead with three consecutive goals, but Stayt's late goals kept UC San Diego within striking distance, closing the half at 6-5 in favor of the Hoosiers.
In the third quarter, both teams struggled to find the back of the net, but the Tritons won the period 2-1. They were able to tie the game 7-7 with another goal by Stayt.
UC San Diego's offense came alive in the final quarter, scoring four goals while holding Indiana to three.
In a thrilling finish, Triton
Emily Cloherty scored with 2:05 left on the clock, tying the game at 10-10. UC San Diego then successfully killed off a Hoosier power play. At 1:13,
Cascade Stensland netted the eventual game-winning goal. UC San Diego closed it out by shutting down another Indiana power play.
Aside from Stayt, two other Tritons finished with multiple goals including Cloherty with three and
Abigail Schechter with two.
Goalie performances were also notable, with
Bria Zwaschka finishing with 10 saves and a steal for the Tritons. Jasmine Higgs saved eight shots for Indiana.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST SAN JOSE STATE
In another thrilling contest, the match featured a series of lead changes and showcased impressive performances from key players on both sides.
UC San Diego's offense was led by standouts
Emily Cloherty and
Abigail Schechter, who each netted four goals.
Cascade Stensland contributed two goals, while
Caitlin Stayt,
Sofia Munatones, and
Allie Bartholomew each added one to the scoreboard, highlighting the Tritons' balanced attack.
San Jose State's Darcy Spark was the standout performer for the Spartans, scoring six goals and keeping the game competitive throughout. Bridget Cranley supported her team with two goals, while Sarah Woren, Jennine Osorio, Mackenzy Clark, and Rose Jensen each contributed one goal, showcasing SJSU's offensive depth.
The match featured a tight back-and-forth scoring dynamic, with both teams trading goals in each quarter. UC San Diego took a slight edge in the first quarter, but SJSU responded strongly, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
In the end, the Tritons' defense held firm, and goalkeeper
Bria Zwaschka made five crucial saves to secure the victory.
Tatianna Raffin's 10 saves for the Spartans reflected her valiant effort, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tritons' relentless attack.
UP NEXT
After playing four games over the past three days, UC San Diego is next in action on March 27 when Big West rival UC Davis comes to Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla. The game is set for a 6 p.m. start and tickets can be purchased from the
Triton Box Office.
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.
