Courtesy: UC San Diego Athletics
LA JOLLA, Calif. – The No 10 UC San Diego women’s water polo team lost a tight contest 10-9 to UC Irvine at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The Tritons drop to 9-7 on the season while the Anteaters improve to 11-7.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Anteaters opened the game with back-to-back goals in the first quarter. A penalty goal from Ciara Franke put the Tritons on the board and Franke scored in the final two seconds of the quarter to tie the game up.
Annika Arroyo scored on a power play on the first possession of the second quarter to give the Triton’s their first lead and Sydney Bolandfollowed up to make it a two-goal lead. Piper Smith scored for the Anteaters to make it a one goal game, but the Tritons scored two more to take a 6-3 lead into half.
The Anteaters countered with a 4-0 run to take a 7-6 lead with 6:28 remaining in the game. Holly Maine tied the game up on a power play, but the Anteaters responded quickly with two goals. Franke scored on a penalty goal and Arroyo scored in the same situation with 47 seconds left in the game. Seconds later, Piper Smith reclaimed the lead for the Anteaters. With one possession left, the Tritons looked to send the game to overtime, but the offense was not able to come up with a play.
TRITON TIDBITS
- UC San Diego went 3-for-4 on Penalty shots
- Ciara Franke and Annika Arroyo each three goals and one assist.
- The Tritons will play the Anteaters next Saturday in the Big West Tournament. UC San Diego earned the second seed while UCI earned the third.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will host the Big West Tournament next weekend at Canyonview Aquatic Center. The five-team tournament will take place April 30 – May 2.