The No. 13 UCSB (7-5) women’s water polo team defeated nonconference foe Cal State Monterey Bay (3-16), 15-7, on Thursday afternoon at Campus Pool during the Gauchos’ 2009 home opener.
Senior Gillian Morgan put the Gauchos on the board first with a power play goal just 1:04 minutes into the contest. The Otters’ countered with a goal by Chloe McRae just 50 seconds later, but could not stop UCSB’s Lizzie Rouleau from scoring two consecutive goals. CSUMB fought back with a goal from Nicki Smart, but gave up another goal to Morgan just before the end of the first quarter, leaving the score at 4-2.
The Gauchos turned up the heat in the second quarter, notching three more goals and shutting out the Otters. These goals came by way of Amanda Tipton, Kathryn Nelson andJillian Waldron, while goalkeeper Kate Murphy recorded two saves.
In the second half the Gauchos never looked back, recording eight more goals while giving up five. Kristin Kulakowski had an exceptional fourth quarter, recording three goals, with help from Elle Quane, who picked up her second goal of the season.
UCSB will be back in action this weekend when it hosts the eight-team Gaucho Spring Invite on Saturday and Sunday at Campus Pool.
No. 13 UCSB 15, Cal State Monterey Bay 7
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - Final CSUMB 2 - 0 - 1 - 4 - 7 UCSB 4 - 3 - 3 - 5 - 15
CSUMB Goals: Nikki Smart 3, Cloe McRae 2, Mandy Enriquez 1, Lauren Scholz 1.
CSUMB Saves: Kelly Thompson 6, Kristen Prosser 2.
UCSB Goals: Gillian Morgan 4,Kristin Kulakowski 3, Lizzie Rouleau 2, Kathryn Nelson 2,Jillian Waldron 2, Amanda Tipton 1, Elle Quane 1.
UCSB Saves: Kate Murphy 2,Chelsea Carrillo 1.
