LA JOLLA – Senior Gillian Morgan posted a career-high tying five goals against No. 15 Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, the opening day of the UC San Diego Triton Invitational. The Gauchos dropped a pair of tightly contested games, falling to No. 12 Cal State Northridge, 10-7, and Bakersfield, 12-11, at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
With the losses, UCSB falls to 2-3 on the young season.
During the first game of the day, the Gauchos were tied with Big West Conference rival Northridge after one quarter and then used a three-goal second quarter to take a 4-2 advantage into halftime. The Matadors fought back in the third, outscoring the Gauchos 6-3 to give themselves a one-goal lead with eight minutes to go.
In the final quarter, Northridge shut down UCSB and posted two more goals to take the 10-7 victory.
Morgan led the team with a hat trick in the loss while sophomore Claire Buchanan chipped in two goals of her own. Sophomore goalie Chelsea Carrillo tallied six saves for Santa Barbara.
The game against Bakersfield followed a similar script: the Gauchos gained an early 4-2 advantage in the first quarter. The two teams each traded a pair of goals in the second, but UCSB was leading 6-4 at half time.
The third quarter once again spelt trouble for the Gauchos as they were outscored 5-4 by the Roadrunners. In the final period, Bakersfield posted three goals to the Gauchos’ one to take the 12-11 win.
Morgan once again led the team, tallying five goals. Sophomore goalie Kate Murphy had six saves in the loss.
UCSB will conclude action at the 2009 Triton Invitational on Sunday. They are slated to face Maryland at 9:15 a.m. at UCSD’s Canyonview Aquatic Center’s East Pool.
Northridge 10, UCSB 7
1 2 3 4 Final
UCSB 1 3 3 0 – 7
CSUN 1 1 6 2 – 10
UCSB Goals: Gillian Morgan 3, Claire Buchanan 2, Katie Kepner 1, Alyssa Rangel 1.
UCSB Goalie Saves: Chelsea Carrillo 6.
Northridge Goals: Kylander 4, Coy 2, Garguilo 2, Delgado 1, Pettinger 1.
Bakersfield 12, UCSB 11
1 2 3 4 Final
UCSB 4 2 4 1 – 11
CSUB 2 2 5 3 – 12
UCSB Goals: Gillian Morgan 5, Lizzie Rouleau 1, Jillian Waldron 1, Kathryn Nelson 1, Alyssa Rangel 1, Claire Buchanan 1, Katlin Kubas 1.
UCSB Goalie Saves: Kate Murphy 6.
Bakersfield Goals: Ortiz 6, Moss 1, Koudelkova 2, Fellon 1.
