The No. 16 UCSB women’s water polo team (13-10, 0-4) fell to No. 10 UC Irvine (18-8, 3-0), 11-10, in overtime on Saturday afternoon in Big West Conference play at Anteater Aquatics Complex.
UC Irvine took a 6-2 lead with 1:50 left in the second quarter on a goal from Caitlin Haskell, but the Gauchos fought back and cut the Anteater advantage to 6-4 at the half with two six-on-five goals.
The Anteaters outscored the Gauchos 3-2 in the third to push their lead to 9-6 heading into the final quarter. UCSB held UC Irvine scoreless in the fourth and tied the game at 9-9 with 3:24 left in the period. Neither team was able to break the tie, sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime period, each team scored a goal, keeping the game tied at 10-10. With 2:19 remaining in the second overtime period, UC Irvine’s Erin Kiene capitalized on a six-on-five opportunity to give the Anteaters an 11-10 lead. The Gauchos were held scoreless in the final two minutes as UCI secured the victory.
Sophomore Cailee Kilroy led the Gauchos with a career-high four goals in the loss while sophomore goalkeeper Chelsea Carrillo had a career-best 12 saves.
The Gauchos will conclude the regular season next weekend when they head to Loyola Marymount on Friday and then play Long Beach State and Sonoma State on Saturday in Long Beach.
UC Irvine 11, UCSB 10
1 2 3 4 OT1 OT 2 Final UCSB 1 3 2 3 1 0 10 UCI 3 3 3 0 1 1 11
UCSB Goals: Cailee Kilroy 4,Gillian Morgan 2, Katie Kepner 1,Amanda Tipton 1, Claire Buchanan 1, Lizzie Rouleau 1.
UCSB Saves: Chelsea Carrillo12.
UCI Goals: Gianna Rossi 3, Julia Fancher 2, Cortney Collyer 2, Erin Keine 1, Ashling Taylor 1, Caitlin Haskell 1, Kat Plummer 1.
UCI Saves: Lauren Davis 11.
