Courtesy: UC San Diego Athletics
LA JOLLA, Calif. – The No. 10 UC San Diego women’s water polo team dropped a nonconference game to No. 7 Hawaii 12-8 at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The Tritons trailed by five early on and were able to come within one of Hawaii but they were never able to complete the comeback. UC San Diego falls to 4-3 while Hawaii improves to 1-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
Similarly to their match-up against Hawaii on March 10, the Tritons dug themselves into a 5-1 hole to start the game. Hawaii was able to score on two early penalty shots to give them the cushion. The Tritons were shut out of the first quarter but were able to find some rhythm on offense in the second quarter with four goals. Annika Arroyo took the feed from Ciara Franke with four seconds left in the half to score and cut the lead down to 6-4.
The Triton offense struggled to start the third quarter and turned the ball over on multiple possessions. Arroyo had two goals in the quarter, both bringing the Tritons back within one of Hawaii. Hawaii scored back-to-back goals to take a 9-6 lead, but Ciara Franke stopped the run with a goal to close the quarter out.
Neither team would score for the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. Hawaii’s Lucia Gomez de la Puenta would score to reclaim a 10-8 lead with 4:40 left in the game. The Tritons had a chance to cut the lead back to one, but Grace Pevehouse’s penalty shot attempt missed the cage. The Tritons would remain scoreless while Hawaii would add two more goals to end the final frame.
TRITON TIDBITS
- Arroyo led with four goals and set a new career high.
- Franke had a hat trick and Jessee Ransone added a goal as well.
- The Tritons did not convert either of their penalty shots.
UP NEXT
The Tritons will have the next week off from competition to focus on finals. They will host SDSU on March 21 for the annual Harper Cup.